Survey Reveals 70% of Workers Believe Nepotism is Alive and Well in U.S. Workplaces
- Amanda Augustine
- 1h
- 3 min read
We’re all familiar with “nepo babies” in Hollywood, but now, new research by resume.io shows how the same dynamic is highly prevalent in everyday workplaces.
Their latest report analyzes the level of workplace nepotism in the U.S. today, where it’s more common, who benefits (and who loses out), and how employees feel about it.
Insights include:
Nearly 70% believe nepotism is widespread in the U.S. workforce
4 in 10 have been hired at the same company as a relative
5 in 10 say they’ve lost out on a job opportunity to a “nepo baby” colleague
72% believe that “it’s who you know” is a key hiring influence
52% employees said family hiring in significantly harms team morale, retention, and reputation
Men spot nepotism more easily than women
In their current workplace, 54.1% of employees know of colleagues hired through family ties, while a 24.7% of them suspect it happens quietly
30% of workers see nepotism as the biggest unfair factor in job security
Most self-made employees are triggered by family hires
Respondents were highly sensitive to family hires when asked if specific situations qualified as nepotism.
Certified career coach at resume.io, Amanda Augustine, warns how even the perception of nepotism can damage HR efforts, but some industries seem more immune to these views than others:
“When employees believe that hiring decisions or promotions are based on family ties rather than one’s merit, it can undermine the organization. Over time, this can hurt employee engagement, team morale, and even retention. Employers need to demonstrate to their teams that opportunities are earned, not handed down, which is why most candidates benefit more from professional advocates than family members trying to open doors for them.
“In family-run businesses or legacy industries like farming, politics, or entertainment, family involvement often feels natural. In corporate or professional settings, where diversity, fairness, and transparency are emphasized, nepotism is often seen as undermining credibility and trust.”
More findings are available in resume.io’s full report: https://resume.io/blog/nepotism-at-work.
Methodology: Self made? How workers feel about nepotism in 2025 is based on the results of an online survey of 1,000 U.S. workers aged 18+, conducted by Pollfish for resume.io in November, 2025. Respondents represented diverse demographics across age, gender, location, ethnicity, income, and company size and type.
Resume.io, a career.io brand, is an AI-powered resume builder designed to help job seekers create professional resumes and cover letters with ease. With over 30 recruiter-approved templates, AI-driven writing suggestions, and hundreds of job-specific examples, it simplifies the job search process. Users can generate cover letters, tailor resumes to match job descriptions and download their documents in multiple formats, including PDF, Word, and Google Docs. Built for speed and efficiency, resume.io ensures resumes are ATS-friendly and optimized for success. Trusted by millions across 100+ countries, it offers more than just a resume builder–unlocking 18 powerful career tools to help professionals land their next opportunity faster. For more information, visit resume.io or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Amanda Augustine is the resident career expert for career.io’s suite of brands: TopResume, TopCV, resume.io, TopInterview, ZipJob, and Careerminds. As a Certified Professional Career Coach (CPCC) and a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW), she has spent more than 20 years helping professionals improve their careers and land the right job sooner. Connect with Amanda on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and Facebook.
