Navigating a Difficult Decision: The Challenge of Firing Family

Making tough choices is part of running a business, but when family is involved, the stakes feel even higher. Today, I want to share my experience of having to consider letting go of my brother-in-law from my small engraving business, which specializes in cemetery engravings in the Caribbean.

The Growth of My Business

When I first started my engraving company, the demand quickly picked up as families sought to honor their loved ones. Recognizing the need for additional help, I turned to my brother-in-law, who has skills in tiling, to assist with the physical works involved. Initially, it was just a couple of small jobs, but as our partnership grew, so did his role in the business.

We even discussed the possibility of him coming on board full-time after a year, with a proposed salary of around $2,900, excluding expenses like gas. However, life threw us a curveball when my sister was let go from her job due to her pregnancy. Faced with heightened financial pressure, he requested a significantly higher salary of $4,500 a month, leaving me feeling somewhat manipulated since my own earnings as the business owner were only slightly higher at $3,500 a month.

Navigating Financial Strains

As I crunched the numbers, I realized that paying him at that level would add considerable financial strain. Beyond his salary, there were taxes, pension contributions, and other operational expenses—totaling close to $7,000 per month for him alone. In contrast, my own financial obligations came close to $6,000 when business expenses were included.

To keep things afloat, I suggested that if he completed two tile jobs a month, I could sustain him, and if he managed three, the extra income would benefit both of us. The arrangement worked for the most part, as I continued to secure various smaller jobs to keep him busy during downtime.

The Breaking Point

For almost a year, our partnership appeared successful. However, we encountered a major setback when a larger tile job took him over two months to complete—a clear departure from our usual turnaround time of about a week. I found myself increasingly frustrated as I had to dip into savings to keep paying him while he was underperforming.

His working hours also began to slip. What once was an early start and consistent commitment turned into late mornings and early departures. I noticed that he would often arrive after 10 AM and leave by mid-afternoon, which was concerning, especially since I had to support him financially during slow months just to make sure he was compensated.

The Final Straw

Things came to a head recently when, after preparing an upcoming job site, my brother-in-law failed to show up on a crucial day. Upon arriving at the cemetery, I discovered he hadn’t even set up as promised. Feeling embarrassed and angry, I texted him about the situation, expressing my concern and the urgency of maintaining our business’s reputation.

His continued lack of commitment became painfully obvious; he only managed to set up a simple bracket in a day’s work when he was fully expected to contribute more significantly. After weeks of stress, extra work, and financial hardship to keep him on board, it felt like I was on the brink of making a life-altering decision.

A Tough Decision Ahead

Now, I find myself at a crossroads: Is it fair to let my brother-in-law go after everything? Am I wrong for wanting to prioritize the business’s viability over family ties?

In the world of small business, these decisions are rarely black and white. I feel overwhelmed by guilt and the emotional toll this could create within our family.

As I weigh this consideration, I realize the significance of balancing family and professional obligations.

In sharing this experience, I hope to contribute to the larger conversation about familial relationships in the workplace. It’s never easy, but sometimes necessary for the sake of sustainability.

If you’ve faced similar situations, I’d love to hear how you navigated these challenging waters.