Dear Cellar

[Elspode]

Originally Posted by HungLikeJesus

I'll go first.

Dear Cellar,
An independent engineering consultant that I've worked on a project with for a few years made me this offer: If I refer any new work to him, he'll send 10% of any money he makes from that job back to me as a referral fee. That means, since he makes $150/hr, that I would get $15 for each hour that he works on that project, for doing essentially nothing.

Do you feel that this is ethical?

Signed HLJ

It isn't unethical, because whoever you refer still has the final decision as to whether or not to hire the guy. A referral is not the same as you having final decision making authority, and channeling business to him in order to get a kickback.