Is it OK to Hire People from Your Friend's Company?

bhorowitz.com

7 points·bkudria··9 comments

Is it ok? Sure. Does it show a general lack of respect for your friend? Yes.

I wouldn't do it but that doesn't mean you shouldn't...I suppose.

I'm confused by your usage of "it's OK". I suppose that if something shows a lack of respect for your friend, that thing is "not OK" by definition.

Previous discussion here: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2254663

Sometimes, instead of searching for the YC thread on an article, I just submit it and trust the URl de-duper.

Clearly, that is a stupid strategy.

Is it ok to collude with your competitors?

I know this isn't what the OP was thinking, but this is the first thing I thought after reading his question.

Isn't it illegal to have some implicit or explicit agreement not to hire from each other's firms?

Treat people as you'd like to be treated. The way you treat people on the way up, is likely to affect the way you'll be treated on the way down.

Poaching staff from your associate / friend's company is likely to create friction.

If you have to ask this question you must not be a good friend. You have to talk to your friend about how they would feel if you pursued the employee first if you care about your friendship.

When would it not be ok to offer someone a job? Of course it's ok.

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