Mother in law

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arnettda

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My mother in law may be considering a career change, she is 62 works 4 days a week. I have a book keeper and am not looking at replacing here but was wondering in what ways I could use my MIL as office staff. I know I could keep her busy for a few weeks doing odd stuff, I have always wanted a employee hand book which see could work on, my estimating software she could figure out with all the training videos on it. I would not have her do estimates but she could probably get it set up more like i want it. I am busy ànd would like to find help in the field but have not had much luck with that so maybe I could do something like this. My last employee I had help me for two weeks and he has not missed a day in 4 years. What other ways could I use her that I am not thinking of? Thanks
 
arnettda said:
My mother in law may be considering a career change, she is 62 works 4 days a week. I have a book keeper and am not looking at replacing here but was wondering in what ways I could use my MIL as office staff. I know I could keep her busy for a few weeks doing odd stuff, I have always wanted a employee hand book which see could work on, my estimating software she could figure out with all the training videos on it. I would not have her do estimates but she could probably get it set up more like i want it. I am busy ànd would like to find help in the field but have not had much luck with that so maybe I could do something like this. My last employee I had help me for two weeks and he has not missed a day in 4 years. What other ways could I use her that I am not thinking of? Thanks
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Proceed with extreme caution. Ugly things can happen when people go from being family to being employees. The family dynamic can clash horribly with the work place dynamic. If she's working 4 days a week now, can you provide the same work hours at the same pay rate? Can you do this indefinitely? How would you handle it if your company's situation changed and you had to let her go? How are you going to feel about your MIL discussing office stuff with your wife, 'cause that will come up during girl-talk? In fact, your business may become the subject of idle family chatter just because people talk about work all the time.
 
arnettda said:
My mother in law may be considering a career change, she is 62 works 4 days a week. I have a book keeper and am not looking at replacing here but was wondering in what ways I could use my MIL as office staff. I know I could keep her busy for a few weeks doing odd stuff, I have always wanted a employee hand book which see could work on, my estimating software she could figure out with all the training videos on it. I would not have her do estimates but she could probably get it set up more like i want it. I am busy ànd would like to find help in the field but have not had much luck with that so maybe I could do something like this. My last employee I had help me for two weeks and he has not missed a day in 4 years. What other ways could I use her that I am not thinking of? Thanks
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My advice is that sometimes being a "good guy" isn't such a good idea when it comes to family.

And unless you have already been approached by wife or MIL, I also suggest keeping your mouth shut about your idea until you have carefully evaluated everything Gadfly posted......;)
 
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bringing family members into a business they know nothing about and have no real stake in is a recipe for ending up with annoyed employees.

do you employees a favor and don't do this.
 
RICK NAPIER said:
My father taught me this old prayer:
Lord protect me from my friends and family I can defend myself from my enemies.
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The one I've heard is "Make friends of your business partners, don't make business partners of your friends."
 
If you're dead set on hiring her, id just pay her to clean the house and the office. Maybe answer phones and take messages. I wouldn't let anyone touch estimating software that has no experience in the trade; even just to "set it up".


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arnettda said:
My mother in law may be considering a career change, she is 62 works 4 days a week. I have a book keeper and am not looking at replacing here but was wondering in what ways I could use my MIL as office staff. I know I could keep her busy for a few weeks doing odd stuff, I have always wanted a employee hand book which see could work on, my estimating software she could figure out with all the training videos on it. I would not have her do estimates but she could probably get it set up more like i want it. I am busy ànd would like to find help in the field but have not had much luck with that so maybe I could do something like this. My last employee I had help me for two weeks and he has not missed a day in 4 years. What other ways could I use her that I am not thinking of? Thanks
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Are you ready for the repercussions if it doesn't work out? You would well advised to think hard about this business decision.
 
stevenje said:
Are you ready for the repercussions if it doesn't work out? You would well advised to think hard about this business decision.
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the family dynasty can turn into the family die nasty in about three days.

if you make it two weeks, all of us here will know it as the vatican will be
burning white smoke to mark the appearance of a new saint.

in all honesty, my money is riding on a smoke free environment.
 
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