After some work advice.

helpimcrap

helpimcrap

helpimcrap

Soldato
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Leicestershire
It isn't my work, it's a friends work.

Plot is: an owner is retiring. My friend is looking at going into partnership with the owners son. The owners son doesn't have the knowledge of the business but has the money, my friend does but will struggle with the money for all of it.

Anyway, son sounds like an absolute douche and trouble maker but owner obviously shades over it because it's family. My friend is worried about it but it's a great opportunity.

My thoughts are they all need to have a discussion and especially after another employee had a disagreement with son and that person is a decent worker and not aggressive. This was done in front of a customer which is obviously not on.

I have proposed they have a meeting between my friend, the owner and the worker to sort out the disagreement with the aid of CCTV. Then once it is seen, they can provide action and son will be called in to discuss findings E.G. apologise/suggest anger classes/suggest alternatives.

I have proposed that I am present if needed as moral support only with only advice as a friend and not to interfere with legal proceedings. My friend can get taken advantage of and may not get the answers they need. I am essentially looking out for a friend and suggesting things that need to be considered or looked at.

Obviously I don't want to get in the way of solicitors and am aiming to be moral support only.

My question is this: am I legally allowed to do this? I'm not being paid and have been a friend for over 25yrs.
 
Yes you are allowed. I have mediated similar situatiions, albeit for residential issues with family, friends and neighbours. I would suggest you being as discrete as possible where able, and ideally taking minutes of the meeting too. Set an agenda and points to action/things that need to be discussed. Make it clear you are there for all parties' interests, and not purely to push your friend's agenda.
 
Arsonist said:
Yes you are allowed. I have mediated similar situatiions, albeit for residential issues with family, friends and neighbours. I would suggest you being as discrete as possible where able, and ideally taking minutes of the meeting too. Set an agenda and points to action/things that need to be discussed. Make it clear you are there for all parties' interests, and not purely to push your friend's agenda.
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Thanks. Taking minutes was one of my suggestions as well and then get other signed by all.

I will be there to mainly keep it on point. I've advised my friend to write down all of his questions and issues. Then we can sit and expand on them before a meeting to get an accurate idea of what they want to achieve.

I'm trying to be as neutral as possible and I've explained this to my friend, but I'll reiterate it if there's a meeting.

Thanks everyone for the advice and concern, of which I share. However COVID-19 has kind of forced this issue unfortunately. Trying to keep a level head on things and if needed my friend knows I'll help.
 
Support your friend - BUT stay well out of work/friend/business situations that don't concern you.

BE supportive of your friend - but don't get involved in other peoples work disputes etc
 
Why is the son's disagreement with another worker getting mixed up with a discussion about whether your friend wants to enter into a business partnership with the son?

They're two separate things that should be dealt with at separate meetings.
 
Kenai said:
Why is the son's disagreement with another worker getting mixed up with a discussion about whether your friend wants to enter into a business partnership with the son?

They're two separate things that should be dealt with at separate meetings.
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It's just something I've been informed of to get an idea of the person. If a meeting happens I can see and get a genuine feeling. I don't read much into hearsay. If it crops up I agree it's a separate issue. My friends pretty set on it and it's all begun already so I'm just advising from the sidelines.
 
Having the meeting and the chances of a good outcome are predicated on the son accepting the need for a meeting.

If he doesnt then these suggestions are going to cause trouble.

If I was your friend I'd have an exit strategy planned.
 
This is a really weird thread. You seem to be suggesting acting as a mediator in some sort of business agreement? Honestly I don't see the point. If your friend really wants to be doing this (and I'm not sure that is the best course) then it's best this is set out with a proper legal agreement depending on the actual legal structure of the "partnership" and each side getting relevant legal advice that can actually input into the correct areas that need to be dealt with, not just the obvious ones.
 
Everything OP has said in this thread doesn't suggest it being a great opportunity. Amazingly OPs friend is still going ahead with this.

Good luck, from the sounds of it he'll need it.

Also +1 for handling this professionally and not OP going as his mates friend.
 
It sounds like a 'mentoring' (supporting) position you will later find hard to escape.

It seems odd to seek a business partner unfit to be hired as an employee.
 
.Lethal said:
Everything OP has said in this thread doesn't suggest it being a great opportunity.
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Indeed - reminds me of a place I interviewed for where 3 people had gone into partnership 2 of them had the knowledge and 1 had the cash and it was obviously all falling apart - the one with the cash was the one supposed to be doing the interview and didn't even bother to turn up. For some reason I kept an interest in the position for awhile but in hindsight it wouldn't have been a good move.
 
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