“A trolley is running out of control down a track. In its path are 5 people who have been tied to the track. Fortunately, you can flip a switch, which will lead the trolley down a different track to safety. Unfortunately, there is a single person tied to that track. Should you flip the switch?”

Isn’t this a common problem that many Recruitment Process Outsourcing decision-makers face?

If they do nothing with talent acquisition, then surely, as discontent grows with escalating costs and diminishing ROI, something unfortunate and severe will happen.

On the other hand, if talent leadership “pulls the switch” and decides to outsource recruiting, then certainly there will be some human causalities to their existing team.

Does inaction make someone culpable for the resulting tragedy when they know the potential outcome and choose to do nothing? They are not responsible for the train nor did they tie any of the people to the tracks. Therefore, since the situation is already in place, does “flipping the switch” constitute a participation making one responsible for the new lesser misfortune?

Or, does simply being present in this situation and being able to influence its outcome constitute an obligation to participate? Is “flipping the switch” not only permissible, but the better option?

Some might find this an easy decision. For others the decision is much more difficult. Everyone is different but, in the end, we all need to come to grips with the effect of not outsourcing and the impact of outsourcing.

http://www.pinstripetalent.com/RPOlosophy/