Recruiting fee refunds? No Way...maybe

I've gotten questions about whether or not to fight refunds after candidates don't make it at a new employer. 

There are a number of questions that has to be asked before such a decision can be made.  What was the "real" reason for the candidate leaving?  How long did they last?  How much revenue does this client generate per year?  How much work went into finding this candidate?  How long did the search take? 

These questions will help you make a good business decision and not an emotional one.  With a good client that gives your company a good revenue stream, a refund may hurt this month, but save a year!  The reasons the person left could answer whether or not anyone will be able to even make it in the slot no matter how qualified.  Maybe the hiring boss was forced to fill the slot but didn't really want to???  If the candidate was there 1-4 weeks verses 6-9 months really moves the blame from anything you could help, to the client's responsibility.  

If this slot was very difficult to find a fit and many days of research and sourcing was involved, shouldn't the client pay for that?  This knowledge will assist you in the next search or may not. 

The key is to break down the facts of the situation and make a good long term decision that benefits your company, the client and the candidates ALL, not just one side.