The workplace referral system has always been a double-edged sword. Today, scrolling through various professional forums during my lunch break, I came across a story that struck a chord - someone dealing with the aftermath of a workplace referral gone wrong. It brought back memories of similar situations I’ve witnessed throughout my IT career, and it’s worth unpacking why these situations can become so problematic.

The scenario is painfully familiar: you refer someone you worked with previously, thinking you’re doing both them and your company a favour. The interview goes well, they get the job, and then… everything goes pear-shaped. Your former colleague turns out to be completely different from what you remembered, or perhaps they show their true colours once they feel secure enough in their new position.