We have started a new segment allowing managers to ask questions that will be answered directly by our CEO, Darcy Swift. This month’s question is:
QUESTION: Is it inappropriate to hire an employee for a personal job outside of the workplace? I have a side business selling fresh fruit and vegetables at the farmers market with my husband. We could use some extra help on Saturdays and one of my employees mentioned that she is looking for extra work on the weekends. However, due to the power dynamic between us, I wasn’t sure if it was appropriate to ask her if she wants to help us for extra money on the weekends. I don’t want to make her feel uncomfortable or feel like she has to say yes. Is this crossing the line professionally?Â
ANSWER: It can be a very slippery slope when hiring an employee from one place of employment to another. Especially if you are her boss. There is a clear difference in power that may reflect in the office in ways you wouldn’t think about. Aside from the possibility that she may feel pressure to say yes because you’re her boss, it may actually go the other direction. Other employees can look upon that as favoritism or the employee hired could think she has special privileges because she now has a more personal relationship with you. It is not wrong to hire employees as long as you make very clear boundaries and expectations both in the office and at the outside job. Also, it may be more beneficial if you were to open the position to all of your employees. Unless this is a specialized position, it could help with the idea of favoritism.
If you have a question you want answered, please contact us HERE. We will feature one frequently asked question a month.
We have started a new segment allowing managers to ask questions that will be answered directly by our CEO, Darcy Swift. This month’s question is:
QUESTION: Is it inappropriate to hire an employee for a personal job outside of the workplace? I have a side business selling fresh fruit and vegetables at the farmers market with my husband. We could use some extra help on Saturdays and one of my employees mentioned that she is looking for extra work on the weekends. However, due to the power dynamic between us, I wasn’t sure if it was appropriate to ask her if she wants to help us for extra money on the weekends. I don’t want to make her feel uncomfortable or feel like she has to say yes. Is this crossing the line professionally?Â
ANSWER: It can be a very slippery slope when hiring an employee from one place of employment to another. Especially if you are her boss. There is a clear difference in power that may reflect in the office in ways you wouldn’t think about. Aside from the possibility that she may feel pressure to say yes because you’re her boss, it may actually go the other direction. Other employees can look upon that as favoritism or the employee hired could think she has special privileges because she now has a more personal relationship with you. It is not wrong to hire employees as long as you make very clear boundaries and expectations both in the office and at the outside job. Also, it may be more beneficial if you were to open the position to all of your employees. Unless this is a specialized position, it could help with the idea of favoritism.
If you have a question you want answered, please contact us HERE. We will feature one frequently asked question a month.