Thread: Employees and Friends

so all in all, it's possible, but in rare cases do things ever workout.

you just have to be on the same page.

I would agree with hiring friends if they are the best qualified and if they are willing to take the same risks. But never hire you friends who are just along for the ride to make a quick buck. I have a friend who refuses to work for me when I open my future business even though he's qualified because he knows I will make him work his ass off and hes the type of guy who calls of work because he wants to go to the beach, or to a concert, or he will lie about having a flat tire so he doesnt have to show up to work. Who knows if maybe in the future he will change his ways but at this moment Im glad he doesnt want to work for me I dont need that in my business

We have never had luck mixing friends and business. It has pretty much always ended with losing them as a friend and employee. I've had to fire quite a few people who just got too comfortable, thinking that since we were friends, they couldn't pull their weight, it even landed us in court with a few of them

We did get lucky in that one of our current employees, is a long time friend of ours, and pulls his weight. He was laid off from his construction job, and we hired him as a temporary employee while he got back on his feet, and to another job. He's gotten comfortable with us, and he's been a huge asset, and we'd be very sad to see him go at this point. But, there are days when you need to put the friendship aside, and be the boss.... that is the tough part. You just need to make sure they understand from the get-go, that you are the BOSS, and when it comes down to it, business is business, and if they can't cut it, then that's it. Some people can handle it, and separate the business from friendship, some can't.

Personal is not good business.

from my experience....yea just don't do it. it's not worth taking the chance. i think friendship is more important to maintain. i've gone through the same and in the end was only taken advantage of with my friend slacking off, then later trying to take off with some money too. some of my other friends who own businesses had friends with them for 20 plus years only ending to split up in the end. they had the hardest time doing it too. firing a friend is probably way more difficult for most. take care.

If you do, have a contract drawn up clearly laying out the expectations as employer and employee. Also, no preferential treatment.

Friends+Business=Don't Mix
Family+Business=Don't Mix
So
Friends+Family+Business=Don' Mix X 2

I'm pretty blunt with my friends when they ask if I can get them into my industry. In a slight twist of the immortal words of one Reggie Hammond: "bullshyte....you're too fugging stupid to do my job."

Hire who you need, not who you want.