RESPECT | TRUST | INCLUSION | DISCOVERY | EXCELLENCE
Not up for a vote:
Hiring Decisions
A staff member is employed in a department at Duke where they work in a professional capacity based on their licensing and training. The department has an open position posted for a similar role to be the staff’s colleague. The staff and their team participate in the interview process with some candidates when they are onsite, based on their availability. The department staff provide feedback on the candidates to their leadership. The leadership team moves forward in extending an offer to one candidate. The staff does not believe this is the best candidate based on who they interviewed.
The team of colleagues, including the staff member, believes they should be able to discuss and decide together as a group on a hiring decision. Though they provided feedback and participated in the process, they are confused by this decision and process. They voice their concerns, expressing disappointment they did not get to select the person who will soon be their colleague. They share their questions with HR.
We encourage questions, dialogue and challenges, holding individuals and organizations accountable for their actions and decisions.
Hiring approvals vary by schools, entities, and departments at Duke. A hiring supervisor should check with his or her school, entity or department for the specific hiring approval requirements before making any offers of employment.
Relevant Policies:
HR Recruitment & Hiring Policy
– Recruitment/Hiring Process
– Posting Vacancies & Filling Jobs
Fact finding and intervention:
HR reviews the department’s posting, candidate review and hiring within the system. There is adequate documentation and compliance with required information and timelines. The department leadership made the hiring decision appropriately based on posted requirements for the role, candidate qualifications and interviews. Department staff participated in interviews as their schedules allowed and provided feedback
Resolution and action plan:
This provided an educational opportunity for the staff.
- HR was able to provide information on hiring policies and processes with the team and indicated the area leadership is responsible for hiring decisions.
- This may vary from other professional settings where individuals participate as members of a smaller entity with varying processes.
- The team better understands the institutional HR recruitment policies as well as the hiring decision responsibility exercised by the hiring supervisor.
*This vignette is loosely based on real cases received through Duke’s Speak Up program and/or other investigatory offices. Creative license was taken to protect the identities of those involved.*