[daepp]

So my brother and I started a business 5 years ago - a construction company. When we were forming the company he expressed a desire for his son to someday work with us. I did not disagree.

We had 4 great years, and of course now it's very tough. Still doable, but tough. We went from a high of about 130 employees, down to 25 back at the first of the year, and now around 60 currently. I do not have a lot of hope that our currently ok level of business will continue for the rest of the year. We'll see.

One year ago my brother/business partner/best friend passed away from cancer. He was a wonderful brother, and I miss him a great deal, but he left me with about as many problems as I can handle and still remain sane.

His son will lose his job on 8/1 when the other family business is sold. My nephew has an MBA, but wants to come to work for me - in the field. As in, in the trenches - literally. He claims he wants to learn the business from the ground up (which I actually agree is the only way to learn it). He has never really kept a job aside from in the family business. Due to a divorce early in his life, he has been spoiled by the divorced parents, his maternal grandparents, and his step-mom. He's 30 years old, and I really think he needs to go out and make his own life. He has had a good education, and is reasonably intelligent.

But - even though it may not be what's best for my nephew, I can't shake the fact that my brother again asked me to give him a job a few months before he died. At the time, I told him I'd be honored. Of course, that was when the economy was rocking and rolling. Now, it basically means I either lay someone off who actually produces for the company, or I fail to rehire some other worthy worker. Personally, I am staring down the barrel of three college degrees over the next 8 years, so it's not exactly as if I have the luxury of pissing away the $$. And what about the very expensive education my brother paid for?

- Step-mom and nephew are begging me to hire him
- Wife is apoplectic at the thought

What would you do?