Some of you may know that I'm a Patent Attorney, with that in mind... My secretary just put in her two weeks notice today. The question I have arises: How problematic do you think it would be for my brother to be a legal secretary at the firm where I'm an attorney? He wouldn't work directly for me, but it would still be him working as a secretary at a firm where I'm a partner.
My brother and I are pretty close, hanging out every Friday, GenCon together for the past 6 years, etc.
Working with family can be a very bad idea, especially if you see each other as equals.
The two big questions you have to ask yourself are: "If this doesn't work out, would I be okay with being the one to fire him?" and "How would that affect our relationship?"
OK, so the things that CAN go wrong are probably already pretty clear. But I trust that in a legal firm, professional behavior and appropriate HR will not be an issue.
Overall, I think it's a great idea. Talented individuals who embody the company's values tend to have friends and family that also meet that profile. Odds are that if your company loves you, they will love your brother.
One small non-HR caveat - while secretary may be a short-term help for your brother, it may not lead to a life-long profession/career (I don't know the specifics, of course). Everyone needs to make their own life choices, but if this path doesn't have long-term potential, it might be in his best interest to ensure he gets a shove in another direction eventually.
FWIW, I hired my sister to do some bookkeeping at a small manufacturing company where I was the office manager. A few years later, she was the sales manager and I was the general manager. We've both moved on from that company, but we both have fond memories of those years together and she's continued on with a successful career in medical sales.
As long as you make it clear that if he were to work there, you cant be brother bLatch, but instead Superior (Boss?) bLatch.
My mother had a boss who she was/is really good friends with. While they are/were friends, they both understood that there is a line where they have to put it aside and be boss/employee.
Does he have experience as a legal secretary? Have you ever worked with him before or have knowledge of his work habits? It could be a problem if you recommend him and he doesn't pan out. I would treat it just like any other acquaintance you'd be recommending for a position.
I've had a close friend I absolutely thought would be wrong for a job turn out great, and I've had people I thought would be great for a job end up making me regret it. Base it on what you know of his professional habits, not how much fun you have with him in your free time. There is nothing inherently wrong with recommending your brother for a position or even hiring him yourself, as long as he's qualified. If you feel like it would work out, I'd say give it a chance.
Hi bLatch! Sorry to hear about your secretary, very difficult position to fill contrary to popular belief.
I have 2 thoughts on this:
#1 - Stay objective. Define a role, and interview your brother for that role. Forget that he is your brother during this process. If you want both sides to enjoy this new relationship (a work relationship), you need to be very clear that the expectations will not be defined by personal influence.
#2 - Interview others for the position as well (at least 2-3 other people). This has 2 purposes: 1) You can compare your brother to the rest of the field of candidates and ensure that he is a qualified fit for the position, and 2) your brother will understand that he has earned this position, rather than it being handed to him.
My line of work has me hire and fire all levels of skills, from entry level to executive. I have a very good understanding of how a successful hiring process works from many points of view, and have directly developed internal processes in order to teach others. If you need any help or further discussion, feel free to PM me.
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My brother and I are pretty close, hanging out every Friday, GenCon together for the past 6 years, etc.
Thoughts?
The two big questions you have to ask yourself are: "If this doesn't work out, would I be okay with being the one to fire him?" and "How would that affect our relationship?"
Overall, I think it's a great idea. Talented individuals who embody the company's values tend to have friends and family that also meet that profile. Odds are that if your company loves you, they will love your brother.
One small non-HR caveat - while secretary may be a short-term help for your brother, it may not lead to a life-long profession/career (I don't know the specifics, of course). Everyone needs to make their own life choices, but if this path doesn't have long-term potential, it might be in his best interest to ensure he gets a shove in another direction eventually.
FWIW, I hired my sister to do some bookkeeping at a small manufacturing company where I was the office manager. A few years later, she was the sales manager and I was the general manager. We've both moved on from that company, but we both have fond memories of those years together and she's continued on with a successful career in medical sales.
My mother had a boss who she was/is really good friends with. While they are/were friends, they both understood that there is a line where they have to put it aside and be boss/employee.
540 Peasant cube- Gold EditionSomething SpicyI've had a close friend I absolutely thought would be wrong for a job turn out great, and I've had people I thought would be great for a job end up making me regret it. Base it on what you know of his professional habits, not how much fun you have with him in your free time. There is nothing inherently wrong with recommending your brother for a position or even hiring him yourself, as long as he's qualified. If you feel like it would work out, I'd say give it a chance.
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I have 2 thoughts on this:
#1 - Stay objective. Define a role, and interview your brother for that role. Forget that he is your brother during this process. If you want both sides to enjoy this new relationship (a work relationship), you need to be very clear that the expectations will not be defined by personal influence.
#2 - Interview others for the position as well (at least 2-3 other people). This has 2 purposes: 1) You can compare your brother to the rest of the field of candidates and ensure that he is a qualified fit for the position, and 2) your brother will understand that he has earned this position, rather than it being handed to him.
My line of work has me hire and fire all levels of skills, from entry level to executive. I have a very good understanding of how a successful hiring process works from many points of view, and have directly developed internal processes in order to teach others. If you need any help or further discussion, feel free to PM me.