nepotism
Hiring your cousin
Nepotism is favoritism shown to relatives, especially in hiring or promotion.
The term usually implies that the beneficiary lacks qualifications and got the position through family connections rather than merit: The mayor's appointment of his nephew reeked of nepotism.
The word extends to any situation where family ties trump competence.
Unfair favor toward some
- preferential treatmentAdvantages given selectively
- unfairnessUnjust or biased treatment
- inequityUnfair distribution or treatment
- biasUnfair inclination or prejudice
privilege · cronyism · patronage · favoritism · preferment · special treatment · inside track · sweetheart deal
Favoring friends in appointments
- backscratchingTrading favors mutually
- old boys' networkInformal elite mutual-aid system
- jobs for the boysBiased hiring favoring connections
- insider dealingTrading on nonpublic information
collusion · graft · machinations · kickbacks · bribery · self-dealing · conflicts of interest · embezzlement
Related people together
- relativesThose connected by blood
- bloodlineAncestry through generations
- dynastySuccessive family rulers
- clanRelated group sharing ancestry
lineage · ancestry · kin · kinfolk · descendants · siblings · offspring · heirs
Rule by few
- plutocracyRule by the rich
- aristocracyRule by hereditary elite
- ruling classDominant governing stratum
- political dynastyFamily holding power generationally
machine politics · spoils system · sinecure · rubber stamp · appointee · cabinet · administration · regime
Giving someone work
- promotionRank increase or publicity
- advancementForward movement or promotion
- recruitmentSeeking new personnel
- appointmentScheduled time for something
management · qualification · merit · competence · human resources · job posting · interview · resume
partiality
Unfair favor toward some
- preferential treatmentAdvantages given selectively
- unfairnessUnjust or biased treatment
- inequityUnfair distribution or treatment
bias · privilege · cronyism · patronage · favoritism · preferment · special treatment · inside track · sweetheart deal · fast-tracking
cronyism
Favoring friends in appointments
- backscratchingTrading favors mutually
- old boys' networkInformal elite mutual-aid system
- jobs for the boysBiased hiring favoring connections
insider dealing · collusion · graft · machinations · kickbacks · bribery · self-dealing · conflicts of interest · embezzlement · malfeasance
family
Related people together
- relativesThose connected by blood
- bloodlineAncestry through generations
- dynastySuccessive family rulers
clan · lineage · ancestry · kin · kinfolk · descendants · siblings · offspring · heirs · in-laws
oligarchy
Rule by few
- plutocracyRule by the rich
- aristocracyRule by hereditary elite
- ruling classDominant governing stratum
political dynasty · machine politics · spoils system · sinecure · rubber stamp · appointee · cabinet · administration · regime · inner circle
hiring
Giving someone work
- promotionRank increase or publicity
- advancementForward movement or promotion
- recruitmentSeeking new personnel
appointment · management · qualification · merit · competence · human resources · job posting · interview · resume · credentials
- injusticeinjustice, inequality, discrimination, bias, prejudice
- work problemslayoff, firing, low pay, burnout, deadline pressure
- hiring mistakesbait and switch, halo effect, poor communication
- scandalsscandal, controversy, coverup, cover-up, disgrace
- Spoils Systemspoils system, political patronage, patronage, cronyism, favoritism
- employmentjob, jobs, career, careers, interview
nepotismmeritocracy
Advancement through demonstrated ability
merit-based hiring · merit system · open competition · equal opportunity · credentialism
nepotismfairness
Just and equal treatment
fair-mindedness · equity · justice · impartiality · objectivity
- nepotism babiesChildren advanced through family