After some work advice.

[helpimcrap]

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.

 

[helpimcrap]

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.

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.

 

[helpimcrap]

OP’s friend needs to look for a new job as the owner’s son is only going to get worse once he’s running the show.

The idea is they wouldn't be running the show as they do not have the skills. It should be relatively straight forward but until a meeting is arranged I do not know the exact difficulties.

 

[helpimcrap]

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.

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.

 

[helpimcrap]

Thanks for the input on whether it is legally allowed.