Family Matters
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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Have you ever worked with family?
My husband comes from a big Greek family full of entrepreneurs. Since we've been married we've both worked with a couple of his family members. Some experiences were good, but some we'd never try again. Some people we talk to act like working with family is the worst idea. Others act like it can be really rewarding and is necessary in this economy.
What do you guys think? Have you tried it before or are you doing it now? Would you recommend it? How do you make it work?
Jessica
Re: Have you ever worked with family?
I work for my parents and have for a little over 2 years now. I think it takes a "special family" to work together in business matters. What I mean by that is that we are and always have been honest and straightforward with each other, which I think has kept us close. Nobody gets easily offended or dramatic if there's a disagreement. Everyone tries to be fair with each other.
I will also say if it were my ILs, I never would have considered working for them and neither would my H. They are the take-advantage type and there isn't a healthy dynamic there to start with. I think as long as you already have a healthy dynamic to build on, you could consider working with family. It's worked out well for me.
I worked for my father's business for years on and off. It was a good fit for me since I was doing marketing and sales back then, and he needed that position (in other words, he didn't just make a place for me that wasn't needed), but I don't know if I'd do it again just 'cause it really altered our relationship and I didn't like that effect. And I'm in a different field now, so he wouldn't have need for me anyway.
My brother works for him now and it's been a very challenging time for both of them. There's a lot of conflict (my SIL isn't helping on that matter, either) and I don't know how it's going to all turn out, but I hope it ends up improving. They're both very Type A and have different attitudes about it - my father founded the company so he thinks it should remain "old school" and within his system and philosophy. Brother, however, thinks it should move with the times and advance a bit more. It's tricky.
This. I would just never try and not have to deal with the negatives later, especially with my ILs because they are very dramatic about everything. If anything went wrong they would tell the whole wide world and make sure I looked bad as possible.
I have and I loved it. I worked for my uncle doing marketing for his company. When I was in college I had done some special projects for him and really got into the whole business side of things. After I graduated I worked for another company and wasn't happy. We talked about me working for him a lot before he ever offered me a position, I didn't think it would ever actually happen. I learned a lot about my field and about running a small/medium company, an opportunity that most people wouldn't give someone my age.
I quit about a year ago because I had outgrown the position and wanted a new challenge. Quitting was one of the hardest things I've ever done. I would work for him again in a heartbeat, he was a great boss and I still consider him a mentor, as well as an uncle. You have to be able to be very honest with your family and not take work personally - which can be very difficult to do. It's definitely not right for everyone but in many circumstances it can be a great experience.
I work with my family every year in a seasonal position. I really enjoy it and look forward to it.
I think it works because I don't want/need to be in charge of their business. I'm not trying to contribute business changing ideas. I know exactly what my position is, and I stay there.
I once was my sister's supervisor- never again. It was awful.
Maybe if it was in a situation where a family member worked at the same place of employment but your jobs weren't related and you didn't have to interact then it would work out better. But I would not ever want to work with a family memeber again.
I worked for my father for 20 years, I loved my job. But, I knew what was expected of me and I earned my position through hard work. He never made a job for me, I worked my way up. But me and my dad have a really good relationship and I was never treated any better than any other employee. If I was wrong, he called me on it like anyone else, probably more so. He never let me forget that I had to be better than everyone else and set an example. It didn't hurt that I am a total workaholic so it is just in my nature. I was sad when he sold his business, I really miss working with him, he was an awesome boss (this isn't just my opinion as many of his former employees would go back to working for him in a heartbeat).
Now, I was my sister's supervisor and it was a very horrible idea. She really thought that she could do whatever she wanted because I was her sister. It was a very bad situation.
I guess only you can make the decision based on your relationship.