Ask Timpo: is working with my wife a good idea?
My marketing director recently handed in her notice. My wife has told me that she is interested in applying for the role. I’m filled with dread. She has all the right experience – but I just can’t see us working together. Any advice?
Working with your wife
could lead to disaster, says John Timpson
Don’t be tempted. Why risk both your business and your marriage with one decision?
You must stop her applying for the job – but how do you tactfully put her off? You could take a chance and appear full of enthusiasm: “It would be wonderful to have you as part of my team!” and hope that her natural suspicion will think there must be a snag. Another ploy would be to draw up a horrendous job description or devise an unpalatable induction programme.
Alternatively you could get a close colleague to take her out for lunch and paint a painful picture of life in your office.
There are plenty of tricks you could try but however clever your scheme, remember that your wife is almost certainly cleverer than you.
The situation is too serious to play games. If she gets the job you will not only have your wife working in your office, you will also have your marketing director living at home.
Be bold. Tell her how you feel, outline your fears, produce a file of job adverts that fit her qualifications and try to persuade her to work for someone else.
Picture: source