There’s a shocking amount of small companies where a sizable proportion of the workers are family of the owner. The most perplexing example was a tax consultant whose 4 employees were his wife, his daughter, his son-in-law and his sister.
I’ve often looked down upon this and have been quick to label it as nepotism, but if I was in a position to hire someone, wouldn’t I prioritize someone I care about who was suffering to find acceptable working conditions in the labor market? Then again, this attitude generates a self-perpetuating problem where people can’t access to job openings through their own merits and meritocracy, because the family members of the company owner can’t find a job through their own merits and meritocracy.
I got my foot in the door for my career through nepotism(aunt was an employee). Started with a bunch of other temps. I worked very hard though and have felt extremely grateful throughout the years for the opportunity. My cousin also started as a temp a couple years later at the same company. He kinda squandered the position and was laid off within a year.
I don’t really have an opinion on this but thought I would share my story.