When you die, the only thing you will still have is your word, my father taught me that.. To me, the most valuable thing I own, is my word, and being able to keep it. Do the right you, in your heart, you know what that is....

Agreed. Hire him, set standards, hold him accountable for meeting them. Evaluate carefully and let him succeed or fail on his own merits.

What has been said about having someone else supervise him is good advice... pick that person wisely so they have a balance of toughness and reason.

Tell that person you will back him up and you won't allow the nephew to go over his head and come to you every time he has a gripe.

Tell the nephew the same thing.

this says allot...coming from a pawnbroker!

Good God Man!
Hire him!

Take him under your wing and teach him everything you know about business, life, friendship, relationships that you can! If he wants to learn, he'll stick around and learn, if not, he'll move on; but really? Give it YOUR best effort. Put all the other things out of your mind; he's family!

Here, Here BYRON! Next beer is on me bud ;)

pawn broker?

I haven't said anything.
Jim

Why is your wife opposed? What does she know that you haven't considered?

Hire him. Put someone else in charge of him. Tell him straight up, he will have to prove himself to you and every other employee there. If it does not work out, fire him. Your obligation was to hire him. Done.

I have worked in family owned business all my life as an employee. The worst of the lot is the bosses kids. They know they will not get fired and do little to really help the company.

This is what I live by -

Thank you for all the good advice.

A few additional points/clarifications:

- I want to do the right thing here, but the discussions we had were at a time when we could afford to have an un-needed employee on the books.
- I want to make it clear there is no money to hire an unnecessary worker. The crews I have are stretched to the max - and they all have families and stories etc. There is no fluff in this industry any longer, as I'm sure Milt can attest to. And you can say "blood is thicker than water" and "family first", but what you are saying is lay off a hard worker for one who has been allowed to skate all his life.
- The nephew has never been able to hold a job unless it's for the family. Before the current job, he landed a terrific job near his home at a defense contractor. He stayed one day and left - said it didn't feel right. His dad bought the next business just to employ him.

All that said, I like the guy and I want to do right by him and his dad. Just not sure if handing him a job is the best thing to do.

It's probably best to just say that times are really tough and you just can't take on anyone else right now... and if things get better you'll try to work him in as soon as it looks doable.

This is my feeling exactly.

You promised your dead brother you would hire him.

Period.

I don't think it is as simple as the majority of responses imply.

But can you give some more information?

Does the nephew have any pertinent experience or skills or knowledge for your sort of business? What kind of work has he been doing up to now? Could he literally work in the trenches, nailing forms and pouring concrete etc, or would you have to find a paper-handling and telephone-dialing sort of job for him? What sort of income is he used to, what could he survive on? Is he incapable of finding another job? Would you actually have to lay off an existing employee to take the nephew on?

Hire him. He claims he is willing to work the trenches--I would be hesitant had he asked for an office or manager position right off the bat--but am enrty level field position shouldn't be a problem.

I am guessing he would be an hourly wage hand. You will be honoring the promise to your brother and taking little financial risk doing so--if he doesn't pan out--can him, at least you gave him the opportunity and kept the promise.

In my construction experience owners and bosses kids have actually worked harder than the average employee as it is always harder--especially to construction workers-- proving that they deserve their job and aren't there just because of their families.

Honor your word! He won't last two weeks in the trenches.

It sounds like you don't think he'll perform. I think you're obligated to hire him, but if he won't pull his weight you can him.

All irrelevant, he made a promise to his brother. His dead brother.

A man's word is the testament to his character. A man who does not keep his word- to his dead brother no less- doesn't have any character.

If the kid is a non-hacker, cut him loose, but to not give him the chance......

Honoring your brother is one thing but I see that you already feel some type of guilt (I could be wrong as it could be the obvious sadness as well). Sorry for your loss.

From your initial statement you said, "I did not disagree". Well did you "promise" your brother in the context that it was "your word" to live up to your brother's hope? It does not sound like it, so I don't see a promise or a problem with keeping your word.

IMHO all of the others that have commented that your nephew wants the opportunity is a completely separate matter and you are not bound to do so based upon your word to your brother. I think if you want to hire him to fulfill your brothers wish, that is a different matter. As others above have stated, hire him with no other expectation than that of which you expect from other employees and explain that to him. The best thing is to trust your judgment as it is your business and your other employees depend on you making the right business decision as does your family.

Heck with the type of credentials your nephew has, he should link up with a developer and learn that business from the ground up. The timing could not be better.