A startup founder has issued a public warning following a disputed recruitment referral involving Lance Harvie, founder of RuntimeRec, a recruitment agency operating in the Australian market.
The warning is based on the founder’s direct personal experience and concerns a referral arrangement that, according to the founder, was confirmed verbally and in writing, acted upon, and then followed by a complete breakdown in communication.
This article reflects the author’s personal experience and opinion. No legal determination of liability has been made.
A Pattern That Can’t Be Ignored
What began as a one-off breach of trust now appears to reflect a broader pattern in Harvie’s operating style.
“He’s polite and responsive when it comes to clients—because they pay him. But behind the curtain, he walks over everyone else. Partners, internal team, referral sources—if you’re not the one writing the check, you’re disposable to him.”
This behavior raises red flags not just about one unpaid referral, but about the overall ethics and culture behind RuntimeRec.
The founder’s message is clear:
“Recruiters are supposed to embody trust. If they only behave with integrity when money is on the line, and discard people the moment it’s not, it’s not just bad business. It’s toxic leadership.”
Evidence and Documentation Available
The founder has retained full documentation of the agreement and Harvie’s actions, including:
- Voice note confirmation of payment terms
- Written message agreement
- Screenshots of referral and communication trail
- Timeline of the hire and subsequent blocks
Anyone considering a relationship with Lance Harvie or RuntimeRec is encouraged to review the timeline and reach out for verification.
Industry Notice
This press release serves as a cautionary signal to founders, startup hiring managers, and consultants who may engage with RuntimeRec.
If a recruiter only honors agreements with clients, but disrespects everyone else who helps build the engine, that’s not someone you want in your hiring pipeline.
The Referral Engagement
According to the founder, Harvie personally reached out requesting assistance in sourcing a qualified salesperson. In response, the founder introduced Gareth Sampson, whom Harvie deemed suitable for the role.
The founder states that Harvie confirmed—via voice note and written messages—that a 10% finder’s fee would apply if the candidate was hired.
The candidate was subsequently hired and continued beyond an initial trial period.
Shortly after the hire, the founder reports that Harvie ceased all communication and blocked contact across multiple platforms, including WhatsApp and LinkedIn. No acknowledgement or resolution followed.
“There was no speculation here,” the founder explained.
“This wasn’t a cold pitch or a vague introduction. He reached out to me, asked for help, confirmed terms clearly, and then disappeared once the value had been delivered.”
From Isolated Incident to Pattern Concern
While the founder initially treated the situation as a single dispute, he now believes it raises broader concerns about operating standards.
“The contrast was striking,” the founder said.
“Responsive, professional, and courteous with paying clients, but dismissive and unreachable with anyone else. Partners, referral sources, internal contributors- if you’re not the one paying, you appear to become expendable.”
The founder stresses that the issue is not simply about a referral fee, but about professional integrity and trust—particularly in an industry that relies heavily on reputation and good faith.
“Recruitment is built on trust,” he added.
“If integrity only exists when money is immediately on the table, that’s not just poor judgment—it’s a leadership problem.”
Documentation and Verification
The founder states that he has retained contemporaneous documentation relating to the referral, including:
- Voice notes confirming referral terms
- Written message exchanges
- Referral and introduction records
A timeline showing the hire and subsequent communication cutoff
He notes that this documentation exists to support the factual timeline, not to inflame or speculate.
RuntimeRec was invited to comment prior to publication. No response was received at the time of writing.
An Industry Caution
This article is intended as a professional caution to founders, consultants, and operators who may engage with recruitment intermediaries.
“If someone honors agreements selectively, only when it suits them, that’s a risk factor,” the founder concluded.
“People deserve to know how others operate before placing trust in them.”
Final Note
This is not a legal claim, nor an attempt to litigate publicly. It is a recorded experience, shared transparently, so others can make informed decisions.
