Would you hire a relative?

1. 60

   Daffy Duckposted 14 years ago

   It's been said that working with family is a mistake.  Do you agree?  If you owned a business would you bring in family or friends?

   replyreport
   1. 0

      Stevennix2001posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      No, I certainly wouldn't for many reasons.  Then again, If I was a multi-billionaire that owned chains of stores/restaurants/offices/businesses or whatever, then I'd probably hire them to work at one of those locations if they asked me.  However, I wouldn't want them working directly with me if that makes sense... 
      
      
      Edit:  Don't get me wrong, everyone in my family is very dependable when it comes to working any job necessary.  It's just....well...its complicated...lets leave it at that.  lol.

      replyreport
   2. 67

      Wendy S. Wilmothposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      In this climate  I certainly would if legally able to do so.  I wish one of my relatives could hire me. They would get the best, most loyal worker around.

      replyreport
   3. 60

      chamiljposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      No I will not because it can hurt our relationship. I always think I should keep away my family and friends from business.

      replyreport
      1. 60

         Daffy Duckposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Not a bad policy.  A lot of families can't bring work into the mix.

         replyreport
      2. 37

         Miss Paulaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         I agree hiring family or friends can be a bad deal !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

         replyreport
   4. 45

      goddess888posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Somehow, somewhere along the way, your relatives will expect you to treat them differently. It is better to hire a non-family member.  Yes, family members can be trusted but sometimes they also make things more complicated.

      replyreport
   5. 49

      LockAndKeyposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Definitely no, I would not hire a family member or relative in my business. Working with them is very difficult. There won't any freedom at work. Moreover you can't say anything if anything goes wrong and you know it is your relative.

      replyreport
   6. 60

      LhouvieBlueposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      It won't matter at all, what's important is the things he/she can contribute to the company..

      replyreport
   7. 84

      MarleneBposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I hired my daughters to work for my company while they were going to college. I liked the idea of writing a paycheck to them, versus writing a paycheck to someone outside the family. It helped with their college expenses, therefore it helped me, too. One daughter worked as a part-time office administrator and the other worked as a bookkeeper. My daughters are out on their own now, with great jobs in the career of their choice. The experience they gained from working in the family business helped train them for working in the corporate world, and in the meantime, I was fortunate to have had the best employees an employer could ever ask for.

      replyreport
   8. 61

      TMMasonposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      No.
      
      Absolutely not.

      replyreport
2. 70

   Pearldiverposted 14 years ago

   I own a Business and If My Sir Name was DUCK I certainly wouldn't!
   
   

   replyreport
3. 68

   Ivorwenposted 14 years ago

   I would if I could, because my relatives are some of the most dependable people I know. 
   When I ran a business, and needed to hire people, relatives were offered a job before anyone else.

   replyreport
   1. 60

      Daffy Duckposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      That's the same when it comes to crab fishing in the Bering Sea.

      replyreport
4. 81

   camloposted 14 years ago

   No, I wouldn't.
   Actually, I misunderstood the title of this thread until I read the first post - I thought it was about hiring people who pretend to be my relatives.

   replyreport
5. 78

   wheelinalloverposted 14 years ago

   In business it's now about ethics and the bottom line. If a relative has good ethics and is a proven hard worker I would hire them in a heart beat. Then again I have always taken in the underdog and came out OK.

   replyreport
   1. 60

      Daffy Duckposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      That's a little risky (the underdog).

      replyreport
      1. 78

         wheelinalloverposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         In years past I was good at reading people, some people have a "bad reputation" but really need to prove themselves, these are the underdogs I would help.

         replyreport
         1. 60

            Daffy Duckposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            That's pretty nice of you.

            replyreport
6. 70

   Pearldiverposted 14 years ago

   Why is this DUCK opening multiple threads and then waddling off without a by your leave or quack?

   replyreport
   1. 81

      camloposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I also noticed that.

      replyreport
   2. 0

      Stevennix2001posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      well to be fair, he DID reply to one response in his "family committing crimes" forum. 

      replyreport
      1. 70

         Pearldiverposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Every Duck I've ever come across acts exactly that way... especially if you catch them 'soiling' things and they claim to have been looking for snails! (Ducks can destroy gardens in search of snails... a favorite food!)
         
         They never take responsibility for leaving piles anywhere
         
         Oh Well... May 1st is the start of the DUCK SHOOTING Season here!

         replyreport
         1. 0

            Stevennix2001posted 14 years agoin reply to this

            are you sure it's not wabbit season?

            replyreport
            1. 70

               Pearldiverposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               LOL... All Year for Wabbits Mate

               replyreport
            2. 60

               Daffy Duckposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               From some of the responses i'd say no.

               replyreport
   3. 60

      Daffy Duckposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I post topics and then return at a later time.  I can't spend all day on here.

      replyreport
7. 75

   IzzyMposted 14 years ago

   Hiring your own family and friends is called nepotism. Some City councils and government bodies are very good at doing that. Private companies can do what they like, but not public bodies.

   replyreport
8. 69

   Charles Jamesposted 14 years ago

   At different times I have employed my step-daughter, my brother, his wife, my brother in law's sister in law and brother in law, my sister in law's husband, and offered a job to my niece. I only had to fire one of them.
   
   The advantage of a relative is you know what they are like before you hire them. The disadvantage of a relative is that the other staff feel that the relative may be getting preferential treatment. And the relative may think that they can't be fired. Surprise!

   replyreport
   1. 60

      Daffy Duckposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I know what that's like, bieng one of the other employees.  It was true then.

      replyreport
9. 66

   SandyMcCollumposted 14 years ago

   I too have hired family before, and it's harder to fire someone when you know their financial troubles. And, some do expect preferential treatment, and maybe I cut them more slack because they were family. In the end, it was strangers who  did the best job. But, that's just MY family.

   replyreport
10. 81

    camloposted 14 years ago

    I have worked for close friends and enjoyed preferential treatment, and didn't really care what my colleagues thought about it.

    replyreport
    1. 60

       Daffy Duckposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       That takes some nerve to admit.  At least you're honest.

       replyreport
11. 52

    emerald2000posted 14 years ago

    You have to know what you're doing. Are they helping you set up the business? Have you got specific roles in mind for them and would they accept? If you are clear there wouldn't be a problem then go for it. It depends where in the business they would fit and the skills they have and what stage they are in their life.
    
    If you have a direction and goal in mind i say why not!

    replyreport
12. 59

    recommend1posted 14 years ago

    Working with family is a huge mistake.  They think they are privelaged, are the least supportive in the business and think that 'having' stuff is their right as family - when if it was anyone else they would be ripping you off !  Wives are the absolute worst, followed by brothers, and then your kids.

    replyreport
    1. 65

       prettydarkhorseposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       is that the same in China too??

       replyreport
       1. 59

          recommend1posted 14 years agoin reply to this

          No experience of that yet - but here it is such a different family set-up and with intricate responsibilities. I think Chinese family can be trusted far more than western - they are so much more close, inside and outside China.

          replyreport
          1. 65

             prettydarkhorseposted 14 years agoin reply to this

             more likely, but families are different, some are cohesive.

             replyreport
13. 68

    allstayathomeposted 13 years ago

    I don't think it depends so much on whether or not they are a relative. If I had a family member in need of a job that was a good fit, dependable, and a contract were in tact, I would.

    replyreport
14. 81

    Taleb80posted 13 years ago

    It is depends on the person character, if he is a responsible, skilled, logical & can separate work from personal relationship or friendship.
    
    I hope to hire him, otherwise let us keep this relationship safe.

    replyreport
15. 72

    earnestshubposted 13 years ago

    Have and would again.

    replyreport
16. 61

    Disturbiaposted 13 years ago

    I do own my own business and my daughters have worked for me during summer vacations. I don't have any other family, but if I did, I would not hire them or any of my friends full-time for fear that at some point they would try to take advantage of the relationship or that I might have to discipline them in some way which would be awkward to say the least. I also don't want to make my other employees uncomfortable or resentful having the boss's friend or relative around.

    replyreport
17. 61

    gunsen shahposted 13 years ago

    Yes i would , if they knew what i wanted out of them , most cases relatives and families that you share an emotional thought on a regular basis , is difficult to fit into your otherside of the mask when it comes to business. So it would be 50 : 50 for me .

    replyreport
18. 69

    puddingicecreamposted 13 years ago

    I personally would never hire a relative. Business is strictly business.

    replyreport
19. 59

    My Storiesposted 13 years ago

    I would not hire just any relative. I would hire my mom and brother.  I know them and know how professional they are. They both have qualities that are beneficial.

    replyreport
20. 61

    Christeneposted 13 years ago

    I work for my inlaws' business. Just about everyone in their family has worked here at one time or another.

    replyreport
21. 79

    classicalgeekposted 13 years ago

    For any kind of financial position, I would hire my mother in a heartbeat. She is the only person I know (and maybe the only person on earth) who has never lost money in an investment.
    
    On the other hand I would never leave a business policy decision dealing with customers to her. She thinks I should court any customer at any cost, and doesn't realize that this will hurt my business in the long run. My business consultant always tells me to give myself a birthday present eacg year by firing the customer, employee, or vendor who is costing me the most time/money with the least return, and he's right. (The old 90/10 rule: 10% of the people you deal with take up 90% of your time.)

    replyreport
22. 60

    ershruti304posted 13 years ago

    We owe furniture business and hiring of relatives is not a problem if they have talent. However personal  relations should not be mingled with profession. So if you feel that hiring of relatives will not allow you to create a gap between personal and professional life then this strategy may prove to be a costly affair

    replyreport
23. 37

    businesstraderposted 13 years ago

    Hiring a relative is out of the question because you can not draw the line between work and personal. It just doesn't work.....most of the time. Not worth the risk in my opinion.

    replyreport
24. 60

    SomewayOuttaHereposted 13 years ago

    No...

    replyreport
25. 59

    ytfoamposted 13 years ago

    Have and would again.

    replyreport
26. 0

    Arlene V. Pomaposted 13 years ago

    No.  Lots of jealousy going on in my family.  If I wanted to promote anyone, I could see the constant dirty looks, gossip, and knives in my back.  I admire families who can keep the family business going for generations.

    replyreport
27. 72

    davenmidtownposted 13 years ago

    I have hired relatives and friends and it is always met with disaster.  I hired a friend once when she could not pay her rent and could not find a job.  She left without notice or telling me when she found another job.  She just stopped coming to work.

    replyreport
28. 0

    ramboruizposted 13 years ago

    this depends on how your relative looks at the job you are about to offer . I will not hire any of them because they are my family. I put up a business with the hope that it'll grow big. If my employees are not wit me (even if they are family or relative) then I don't need them working with me. It's a business rule of thumb, "Hire Slow, Fire Fast" no matter who they are. hey don't get me wrong, I love my family and relatives

    replyreport
29. 61

    stevencruiserposted 13 years ago

    If relative has the potential to take challenges then there should not be any problem to hire him/her.

    replyreport
30. 86

    gmwilliamsposted 13 years ago

    I would hire a person who I deem to be intelligent, educated, and add new energy to the workplace.   I do not believe in hiring relatives at all because I do not believe in nepotism at all.  Only non-relatives need apply.  Besides, hiring relatives would bring complications and headaches to the workplace.   Family have an insidious way of expecting preferential treatment no matter what they did because they are R-E-L-A-T-E-D!  In other words, you are expected to cover for them and to forgive them for whatever errors and mishaps they create.   There are enough difficult employees in the workplace to add relatives to the mix- megabomb, anyone!

    replyreport
31. 75

    LeanManposted 13 years ago

    If you hire a relative because they are the right person for the job then that is fine, if you hire them because they are a relative then that is a stupid business decision that will bite you in the rear at some point in the future..
    
    If a relative is the best applicant for the job and has the right attitude then they should be employed - I would never hire just because they are qualified to do the job - they must want to do the job and accept that they are no different to any other employee!!
    
    (BUT you will still probably have problems!!)

    replyreport
32. 60

    ringlawncareposted 13 years ago

    Yes. We all know that there are certain risks to hiring relatives. Since I own a family owned and operated landscape company, too late for that now. Actually it would be just like hiring any personality. There has to be a vetting process.

    replyreport
33. 65

    LeanChrisposted 13 years ago

    I try to help people. My older relatives would get more cushy, comfortable jobs (partly because their age requires this). Younger relatives would get more physical, active, fast-moving work.
    
    I would always keep an eye on the bottom line, however, in the end, my family is my bottom line.

    replyreport
34. 86

    StellaSeeposted 13 years ago

    I currently work for a family-owned business where I work with my boss, his wife and his mother. They're all nice people but sometimes, I overhear things that I wish I didn't (ex- arguments, personal phone calls) which can make it a bit awkward at times.. I guess it works for them, but if I had my own business, I will say no thank you to relatives.

    replyreport
35. 60

    anonimuzzposted 13 years ago

    Hell no. Only far relatives, you know, the ones you don't really care about - I guess I could yell at those without feeling guilty.

    replyreport
36. 61

    IJR112posted 13 years ago

    I would never do this.  I've already worked with friends and I think even that is a mistake.  I just don't think it's ever a good idea to work with relatives.

    replyreport
37. 60

    tarajeyaramposted 13 years ago

    No.  It is hard to tell them what to do.  Unless if your relative is understanding and is very professional.  If you tell your relatives what to do, they might take it personally.  You might lose the relationship with that person.  It is a hard choice.  If you want to do them a favor, help them find a job somewhere else.

    replyreport
38. 84

    Marcy Goodfleischposted 13 years ago

    Yes - depends on which one, though. My brothers are all terrific; I'd be honored to work with them. Several of my nieces and nephews have started their own businesses, so they'd be great to have on board. Finally, my own two kids have done consulting work before.

    replyreport
39. 68

    Writerly Yoursposted 13 years ago

    No.  I completely agree with you tarajeyaram!
    
    Nepotism is not a great thing all the time.  I love what you wrote "if you want to do them a favor, help them find a job somewhere else."
    
    It's difficult to work with family. I see it all the time especially in corporate settings. It seems to always cause conflict down the line unless, like you said, the relative is professional.
    
    Also, it all depends on the business, career and or industry.
    
    Good luck!
    
    Thanks for the question.

    replyreport
40. 0

    timmathisenposted 13 years ago

    Although I would not work with a relative, I imagine it would be OK in the right situation -- namely a mom and pop business. Other environments would probably result in too much of a conflict of interest.

    replyreport