Backdoor Hire Checker for recruitment agencies
A backdoor hire is when a client hires a candidate you introduced without telling you or paying your fee. Most agencies only find out by accident. This tool looks for it on purpose.
What a backdoor hire is
You introduce a strong candidate to a client. The role stalls, or the client says they are not moving forward. Months later the candidate starts there anyway, and you were never told. If your terms of business say a fee is due when a client hires someone you introduced within a set period, that fee may be owed. The problem is that nobody is watching for it.
How the checker works
- You provide your introductions: the candidates you sent, and to which clients.
- It checks for matches: whether any of those candidates have since started work at the company you introduced them to.
- It flags possible cases so you have a short list instead of a year of introductions to check by hand.
- You decide what to do. It doesn't contact anyone and it doesn't make any claim on your behalf.
What it doesn't do
- It does not give legal advice. Whether a fee is payable depends on your signed terms of business.
- It is not infallible. A matching name is not always the same person, so every flag needs a human check before you raise it.
What to do when it flags someone
Treat it as the start of a polite conversation, not a dispute. Check your paperwork, confirm the facts, then raise it calmly with the client. We cover the steps in our guide to backdoor hires.
The checker is part of our wider set of tools for recruitment agencies.
Frequently asked questions
What is a backdoor hire in recruitment?
A backdoor hire is when a client hires a candidate an agency introduced, without going through the agency or paying the placement fee.
Does the checker contact clients or candidates?
No. It only flags possible matches. You decide whether to raise anything and how.
How accurate is it?
It finds likely matches, not certainties. Names can coincide, so each flag should be confirmed by a person before you contact the client.
Can I claim a fee for every flagged candidate?
Not necessarily. It depends on your signed terms of business, the date of introduction and the protected period. We don't give legal advice.
Want a checker set up around your records?
Get in touch and we'll talk through how it would work for your agency.
Book a FREE Consultation