Recruiter sending in an applicant before agreement is in place - unethical?

My husband was introduced to a company regarding a job through a recruiter that they now want to offer him. However, the company realized that there was no agreement in place with the recruiter and now that the recruiter knows that they want him, they are being unreasonable with their demands regarding the fee. This is going to potentially ruin the opportunity for my husband and I want to know if there is any recourse we have.

eliza in North Brunswick, New Jersey said: My husband was introduced to a company regarding a job through a recruiter that they now want to offer him. However, the company realized that there was no agreement in place with the recruiter and now that the recruiter knows that they want him, they are being unreasonable with their demands regarding the fee. This is going to potentially ruin the opportunity for my husband and I want to know if there is any recourse we have.

The recruiter and the Company should work this out without involving your husband, typically the recruiter is paid a fee from the company, if they failed to get a fee agreement signed that is the recruiters problem and they can not come after you legally for a fee, although they may try. On another note the company should had known the recruiter would charge a fee and if they are trying to "stiff" the recruiter, I would question this companies ethics. Lastly why on earth would either party tell your husband? It does not sound professional too me.

Good luck

Being an executive recruiter for many years; it should have been the responsibility of the recruiter to have the contract in hand and not submit your husband's information and skills to the client until the contract was signed. The person before me is right. The fees are between the Recruiter and the Client your husband should not have anything to do with this other than bad timing.

I also agree that you might question the integrity of the client on a personal note. It they are going to take advantage of the recruiter, would they take advantage of your husband.

I personally would tell your husband to take another route entirely with a different recruiter and client.

Good Luck