Why You Should Never Hire A Friend
If you’ve ever been in a position where you’ve needed to hire someone, you know it’s not an easy task. There are so many things to consider! Skills, experience, work ethic… and of course, personality. After all, you want to make sure you’re hiring someone who will be a good fit for your team.
But what if there was someone who already fit that bill? Someone you know and trust? Someone you already have a good working relationship with? Sounds like the perfect candidate, right?
Not quite.
As tempting as it may be to hire your buddy, this could have some disastrous consequences. Let’s discuss them below.
10 reasons why you shouldn’t hire a friend
1. Friendships are hard enough without bringing business into the mix
You and your friend have a great relationship. You know each other’s quirks, you get along well, and you always have a good time when you’re together. But what happens when things go wrong at work? Will your friendship be able to withstand the stress of a professional relationship?
Usually, the answer is no, even for the strongest friendships.
2. You might end up losing a friend if things don’t work out
If you do decide to hire your friend and things don’t work out, this could irreparably damage your friendship. This is more common than you’d think, especially if you’re not on the same page from the start about what the working relationship will entail.
3. It could create awkwardness between you and other members of your team
If you’re the boss and you hire your friend, that could create some tension between you and your other employees. They may feel like they’re being treated unfairly or that there’s favoritism.
Favoritism is almost impossible to avoid when you’re friends with someone you work with. You may not even realize you’re doing it, but it can be a major issue for the rest of your team.
4. Your friend might start slacking off
If your friend thinks they can get away with slacking off because you’re friends, it’s going to be a big problem. You need to be able to rely on your team to do their job, and if someone isn’t pulling their weight, it’ll reflect poorly on your business.
5. If they screw up, it’ll be harder for you to take appropriate disciplinary action against them
If your friend makes a mistake, calling them out on it is going to be really tough. You don’t want to damage your friendship, but you also can’t let them get away with something just because you’re friends.
This is a difficult balance to strike, and it’s one that could easily lead to problems down the road.
6. You could end up resenting them
If you’re constantly having to give your friend preferential treatment or cover for their mistakes, it’s going to start taking a toll on you. You could end up resenting them for putting you in that position, or for destroying your business.
7. Your professional reputation could suffer
Although nepotism is common in many businesses, it’s not always looked upon favorably. If word gets out that you only hired your friend because you’re friends, it could damage your reputation as a fair and impartial boss.
8. It’s awkward being the friend and boss at the same time
It’s one thing to be friends with someone you work with. It’s another thing entirely to be their boss. You’ll be required to take on a different dynamic in the relationship, and that can be really tough to navigate.
How will you know where to draw the line between being friends and being boss? It’s a delicate balance that not everyone gets right.
9. They’re usually not the best person for the job
More often than not, there will be someone else who’s better qualified for the job than your friend. Although it’s tempting to give them the benefit of the doubt because you know them, it’s important to remember that you should be hiring someone for their skills and experience, not just because they’re your friend.
10. They might have trouble adjusting to your authority
Your friend has seen you in a certain light for a long time, been there for every drunken escapade, and seen you at your worst. Now, you’re expecting them to respect you as their boss. It’s a lot to ask, and it doesn’t always work out.
They may be disrespectful, though inadvertently, and that could lead to some serious problems down the road, especially when it comes to how your other employees treat you.
Conclusion
So, do friends make great employees? Yes, just not for you!
Hiring a friend may seem like a good idea at first, but it’s fraught with potential problems that could damage your friendship, your business, and your professional reputation. It’s best to avoid the temptation altogether and leave your friends out of it.