Nepotism occurs when someone in a position of power uses their influence to favorably impact the hiring or promotion of a family member. It can damage company morale and result in less qualified candidates being hired over more qualified external applicants. While nepotism may be an accepted practice in some small, family-run businesses, companies should have clear policies against it and evaluate all candidates based on their qualifications alone to avoid potential legal issues. Some argue that nepotism is not always bad if relatives hold each other accountable, but it becomes risky if a less qualified family member is hired over a more qualified external candidate from a protected class.