In a new job; is it OK to recommend a partner for a job search? I just started a new job teaching at a university last September; because of that, I’m also in a long-distance relationship. (We’re not married or even engaged at this point.) My partner is also in my field and has applied for a job in my department which would start this September. My question is: is it out-of-line for me to contact one of my colleagues on the hiring committee, explain the situation, and ask about the status of my partner’s application? Obviously, since I am a brand new hire, I don’t want to be overstepping my bounds here, and I’m unsure if I have any real “say” in the matter to begin with. 

Any advice would be appreciated!
My question is: is it out-of-line for me to contact one of my colleagues on the hiring committee, explain the situation, and ask about the status of my partner’s application? 


This is definitely out-of-line --- any contact with the hiring committee to attempt to influence them in favour of hiring your partner is contrary to the assurances that universities make to applicants to hire on merit.  If you do this, you will rightly be seen as attempting to influence the hiring process based on considerations where you have a personal interest.  Secondarily, the hiring committee probably has no right to give any information to you on the status of any person's application, since you are not part of the hiring process (and if you were, you would need to declare a conflict of interest).

I would strongly recommend you don't raise this at all, particularly if you are a new staff member.  Depending on the particular rules of your institution, there is a possibility that this could be considered a breach of university rules, or even a form of employee misconduct, which is not a good start to your position.  Please bear a thought for the other applicants for the position, who are not dating an academic in your department.  These people want fair consideration on their merits, without any "whispers in the ear" of the hiring committee.