Hiring hanky panky

What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state? IL

A co-worker's bother applied for a position in the department a year ago. He completed the application which was no secret, he than took the test required and passed, he was called in for an interview which he aced. It was explained at that time that he was great and would be put on a waiting list for an opening in the department which he applied.

Now a position is open and he was called and told that he wouldn't be offered the position because his bother is in a supervisory position. My question is why was he put through the entire process and put on a waiting list for a job that he would not be offered. His brother currently working in the department is a lead man he doesn't have any official supervisory duties such as he can't write people up or give raises nor fire them. We do not have a written policy for siblings working together, in fact there are other departments with father, son, bothers, and this very department had it in the past without incident. Also as of July the brother currently employed won't even be working the same shift (together), because he is suppose to move to the Day shift, which was explained to the HR department.

Now a position is open and he was called and told that he wouldn't be offered the position because his bother is in a supervisory position. My question is why was he put through the entire process and put on a waiting list for a job that he would not be offered. Ya got me.

We do not have a written policy for siblings working together, in fact there are other departments with father, son, bothers, and this very department had it in the past without incident. Also as of July the brother currently employed won't even be working the same shift (together), because he is suppose to move to the Day shift, which was explained to the HR department. Maybe they just put a policy in (or intend to) and are grandfathering the prior family members who are already working together.

Even if that's not the case though, there is nothing unlawful about the company deciding these two brothers shouldn't work together, even if they allow other family members to do so.