Managing a good friend (got him hired)

[OwlHoot]

Another consideration, if it helps, is that being peremtorily sacked might give the guy the shock he needs to pull his socks up in any future contracts he might get.

In other words, as well as benefitting you, there's a fair chance you'll actually be doing him a favour in the long term.

[Zippy]

Cut his brake cables.

Given that he's probably on a days notice, I feel this may be (taking into account the cost of legal action) the most expensive option. I admire the "blue sky" thinking though.

[EternalOptimist]

Wasn't sure where to ask this really, so thought I'd throw it up on here, since this is pretty much the forum I read most often.

Basically, I got hired as a manager at this new job (which required me to move from England to Canada). They also asked me if I knew anyone else for the job, which would be under myself, so I recommended my friend (who was already living in Canada). Everything ended up going well, and I got him an interview (which was extremely easy).

So yea, he got the job. We both flew down and started work.

My biggest problem I'm finding now is with managing him. The way he responds to me is as if he would if we were having beers at a local pub - with no respect. I would ask him to do something and then he'd just say 'no' in a jokingly manner, and wouldn't do it, then later asked me what I wanted again (so obviously wasn't even listening). Meanwhile, there is another person under me, which is a more junior level guy, but I'm just embarrassed that he has to sit on through this.

That's basically the small problem - now the main issues are the arguments. If I tell him that we're doing something a certain way, he'll argue with me to no-end - even for things that area clearly trivial. Even if he knows he's wrong, he'll go online to try and prove me wrong and show me that his way is the best way.

Another bit of history - I had hired him on a few years ago to work as a sub-contractor under me in England, and that didn't go so well either - everyone basically hated him because he had no work ethics. Then I wasn't fully managing him though, because we had a project manager who kind of looked after him (tried at least).

I know I'm an idiot, but I thought I'd give him another chance.

Also, the only real jobs he's had so far are jobs I've gotten him - other than that he's been doing piece work in his basement (making websites for small companies). Making no money basically.

And this job and the one I got for him before did and does pay a lot of money, which is more than he had before (which was basically nothing). I just feel that he doesn't appreciate anything I've done for him - just thinks that he's entitled to everything on a silver platter.

Any thoughts?

What's the technology? I like a bit of snow I do

[Xil3]

We're working within a LAMP environment.

[EternalOptimist]

We're working within a LAMP environment.

aha, if you get a replacement, what rate (gbp) would you offer for a top guy ?

[MarillionFan]

(I understand the other thread now)

You say he's a good mate. But obviously he isn't giving you the respect & effort you need.

It's a difficult one. When I first left Uni I got a job with a small soft consultancy(12 people). It was owned by two guys and one(the IT director) had hired a friend of his.

They were both in their 50s. The IT Director had started his own albeit small consultancy and had hired this friend of his. This guy was always (I could have been my own boss, I never had the chance, he was lucky to have started his own business). Never pulled his weight, always rude.The truth was he was extremely bitter and jealous. He was in on the dot at 9am. Coffee / computer magazine routine for the 1st hour. First out of the door at 5pm. Always took exactly an hour for lunch. Christ he was bitter. He also was off sick, had a heart attack, and the small consultancy paid him full wages, kept him off. But obviously wanted to know when he would be back. God this guy bitched.

He came back and within six months died of a heart attack. The IT Director was gutted. But worst to come was banned from the funeral and the guys wife blamed him for the stress he had put him under. Basically the guy had whined and bitched for years about how he never had a chance.

There are two things I took from this

1) Take every opportunity you can. Nobody owes you jack and I wouldn't want to get to the end of my life saying 'could have, would have, not my fault'

2) Know when to make the cut. This guy is obviously not up to the job and is bitter. Bitter that you have done better. That's not a mate you want around. Thats not a real mate.

[MaryPoppins]

This guy is obviously not up to the job and is bitter. Bitter that you have done better. That's not a mate you want around. Thats not a real mate.

Yep, agreed.

[Freamon]

Tell him the client have run out of budget and you have to let him go. Then tell the client you sacked him.

[jmo21]

You say he's a good mate. But obviously he isn't giving you the respect & effort you need.

The OP and this kind of story always remind of something someone once said to me.

Never hire a friend, whether you are the owner or just a manager.

If something goes wrong, you could end up ruining the friendship.

[sasguru]

I'll need to have a sit down and really think this through.

.

No you don't need to do that.
There'snothing to think about.
As others have said, sack him.