: Why Hiring a Friend to Work in your Business may not be the best Decision
Hiring a friend to work in your business may seem to make perfect sense, however its execution is not always seamless. Problems can occur both within your business and the friendship in a variety of sectors. Consider the following reasons as to why this might not be the best decision.
They may not be the best person for the job
You may want to do your friend a favor by hiring them, but are you sure that he or she is truly the best person for the job? The job market is extremely competitive, and there are many highly qualified candidates looking for work. There is a decent chance that someone is out there who would do a better job for your business, but you may not even look for them when you make the decision to hire your friend. You may miss out on someone who could be a stellar addition to your company.
They may not work as hard
You may think that because the person is your friend that they will work as hard as possible, but this is not always true. In fact, in some cases, they will work even less than the average person. Someone who is your friend may spend time chatting with you, and you both may get less done as a result. Also, he or she may feel like nothing would get him or her fired so they may not be as motivated because of that.
You will be in a difficult situation if they do not perform well
What will you do if they do not meet your expectations for their performance for the company? If you fire them it could damage your relationship. You will be in a difficult position choosing between your business and your friend. Either way, you will lose.
It can strain your relationship
Even if their performance is adequate, your friendship can still be strained. In most friendships, the two generally feel like equals. Suddenly you are in a business relationship in which you are the boss and they are below you. They may find it difficult to take orders from you. It may be difficult to feel as close as you once were.
Hiring your friend for your business may seem to be a logical choice, however there are many perils. It is not always the wrong decision, however, for the reasons listed above it may not be the best one.