Well, here is what I would do. I'm having to assume some stuff though.
See, whether to hire him isn't the only problem. How to unhire him, if he doesn't work out, will be the next problem.
Explain to the nephew that the company does not have a need for his MBA or the unrelated experience he gained in the other job (assuming that is true). With business down so much, the company cannot carry the cost of an MBA level employee either. If he really wants to see what the construction industry is like, you can give him an internship. He's paid an entry level wage and will do entry level work, "in the trenches", and it won't be easy, wont be well-paying, may not be much fun, won't carry any status. He'll be the bottom man on the totem pole, answering to everyone. The internship will last for six months. And the end, he'll have gotten a good look at the industry and will know if he wants to go find a job in that industry, and he'll have at least a little experience to tell prospective employers about. The way business is going, there probably will not be an permanent opening at your company then, but he can apply to any that may arise, after the internship ends. The industry is not for everyone, and if you decide he is not cut out for it - or if business gets worse - you'll end the internship early.
Your conversation with your brother was not a commitment to support his kid, who is a highly educated adult and should be standing on his own. Thus I believe you have a moral obligation to give your nephew an opportunity, but not to give him charity or to hurt the company. A permanent job, a job that he is not qualified for, at a salary that the business cannot support, would be those things.
Working with family is tricky, so you should prepared for people to be mad at you sooner or later.
I'll add, if a 30 y/o man with an MBA and work experience takes an entry level construction job, it says to me either something pretty bad or pretty good, I guess you'd have six months to figure out which.
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