HR and family matter!
Discussion
Got a friend and client.
He's had his nephew working with him as an apprentice for a couple of years. Basically, he's told me he's not much cop, attitude poor, constantly failed exams etc.
He said he'd help with some exams, so he sat down, did some papers etc. He then went on holiday, so he told his nephew to take the week off too, to get some study in an prepare for a retake....He failed.
He wrote a lengthy letter, stating that he should basically buck his ideas up, and he needed to pass the exams otherwise he is useless to him (electrican with 2 other employees) which is true.
Basically, he's had lots of second chances.
Final straw, he told him to have the month off to study for 'another' retake. However, he did this without paying him.
He's now had a letter from his sister saying she's taking legal action.
He's a very fair guy, and he's mega pissed at his sister. Not to mention he feels his nephew should deal with these things on his own and he'd have been ditched a long time ago had he not been his nephew.
Now he's saying if they take legal action, after all he's tried to do, he's not going to then want to employ him anyway, so he'll be out of a job with no apprenticeship and no job.
Any thoughts on a way forward? I've pointed him in the direction of Peninsula... right thing or not?
Any experiences?
He's had his nephew working with him as an apprentice for a couple of years. Basically, he's told me he's not much cop, attitude poor, constantly failed exams etc.
He said he'd help with some exams, so he sat down, did some papers etc. He then went on holiday, so he told his nephew to take the week off too, to get some study in an prepare for a retake....He failed.
He wrote a lengthy letter, stating that he should basically buck his ideas up, and he needed to pass the exams otherwise he is useless to him (electrican with 2 other employees) which is true.
Basically, he's had lots of second chances.
Final straw, he told him to have the month off to study for 'another' retake. However, he did this without paying him.
He's now had a letter from his sister saying she's taking legal action.
He's a very fair guy, and he's mega pissed at his sister. Not to mention he feels his nephew should deal with these things on his own and he'd have been ditched a long time ago had he not been his nephew.
Now he's saying if they take legal action, after all he's tried to do, he's not going to then want to employ him anyway, so he'll be out of a job with no apprenticeship and no job.
Any thoughts on a way forward? I've pointed him in the direction of Peninsula... right thing or not?
Any experiences?
It can be very tricky and sensitive mixing family and business. Personally I would always say to treat any family member as you would an employee i.e. same contracts, working conditions, expectations etc.
Without knowing more information from what you have described, I would suggest your friend sit down with his sister and nephew and have an open and frank conversation about what has happened and how to fix that, rather than go down any legal route, which will only cause heart ache and damage relationships for all.
From the sounds of it the nephew is a lazy arse and has probably not told his mum the full picture, who has then over reacted. The mum might not even know he's been given time off to revise and screwed his exams up! Sounds like he needs a clip round the ear.
Without knowing more information from what you have described, I would suggest your friend sit down with his sister and nephew and have an open and frank conversation about what has happened and how to fix that, rather than go down any legal route, which will only cause heart ache and damage relationships for all.
From the sounds of it the nephew is a lazy arse and has probably not told his mum the full picture, who has then over reacted. The mum might not even know he's been given time off to revise and screwed his exams up! Sounds like he needs a clip round the ear.
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