Working for your partner

As far as security goes, the first thing I would do is ensure you are paid a fair market rate and have a valid contract of employment with reasonable terms. In the event of a breakdown in the relationship you want to ensure you are fairly treated as an employee.

Having shares would require him either gift them to you or you pay a market value for the proportion of shares. In the event of a sale you would get taxed on any proceeds so it’s important to understand the fair value of the shares being gifted.

if you were to be made a director do you have the necessary skill set and and are you aware of your responsibilities as a director. It’s not a something to be taken likely.

I spent 20 years working for/with my partner, and one thing I will say, as will most people I know in the same situation, is don't do it!! It's better to have some degree of separation between you workwise, and also if you work together, especially if it's your own business, you never get a break from it. I spent 10 years working on every holiday we had as there was something that needed dealing with...

I was a director in his business and removed myself from that role as I did not like all the legalities and issues associated with it.

But if I could have my time again, much as I like my partner, I wouldn't choose to work with him. It causes far too many problems.

@Grimes88 sent you a wee poke.

@Grimes88 happy to chat about anything self employed/VA if it helps give you some ideas. No pitching it’s just something I’m passionate about and really enjoy and love brainstorming ideas with folks.

I would then be asking for a better job title and description, maybe a better salary to start and then look at being added to the business. I think it more what you are contributing to the business that makes the position not your relationship securing. The personal and business aspect of this should be kept seperate

I wouldn’t make my PA a shareholder or a Director ever. Because they’re a PA doing admin. There’s nothing of strategic benefit to the company about the role, if they leave they’re replaced quickly and easily because the salary and travel perks are good.

You are a paid member of staff, as long as you are being paid on line with your role and others in the similar role and have the same work place benefits etc then yes its cheeky to ask to be made a director unless you are involved with the running/growth of the business which is a different story.

I was employed as an admin by my husband but then I become more involved in the business and actually brought more money in than him last year and there I am now named as a director

We have a family company, father/son with my husband being the Son.
I am paid for the work I do at the going rate, I have no part of the company in my own name and I have no wish to, despite my initial support being needed to be able to start it.
I’ve never wanted to muddy the waters/blur the lines and we’ve been together a long time and have children.
In your shoes I don’t think it would be a good idea to ask to be given a major role ie director etc
He already had it before you were together, as long as you are paid fairly for the work you do I wouldn’t expect anything more.
If you did split would you be likely to stay in the area? If you would then it makes sense to pick up part time work else where, however if you would relocate back to the area you were before I wouldn’t worry about looking for more work elsewhere and just enjoy your current role and life together.

You can be a sole director in a limited company.

I’m the sole director of my Ltd company

Agree with the others perhaps a bit too soon in terms of being made a director. Agree with pp, make sure you are well compensated that being said I don't think it hurts to have a conversation about the future

@Grimes88 Would you consider being an online virtual assistant - or slightly higher level - online business manager (more operational and strategy with business owner).

I started in 2004 and kept it flexible around my life’s needs. I now charge a minimum of £45 per hour as a tech and operational VA to online business service providers.

You could do it whilst still doing some work with partner but it means your eggs aren’t all in one basket with his business.

I think you should ask to be paid fairly for your work as an employee. You've only been together 2.5 years and becoming part of the company would make things trickier for him if you split

Dh runs a company, I'm on the books, I'm also a shareholder, I get dividends etc. But we've been together 11 years and the business started through him being able to leave work as we didn't have any rent to pay through my inheritance, so without me it wouldn't have got going, so I kinda feel like I've earned that also!

A limited company doesn’t need two directors unless it’s public, which most small businesses are not.

I wouldn’t make someone a director of my company after 2.5 years of dating, sorry. I’m a co-director on dh’s company, but we’ve been married 16 years and it was a business that was started since we’ve been married. It sounds like a great plan for the future IF you decide you’re going to stay in the company long term, but it sounds like it’s only been a few months to a year and there is always a possibility you could seek out other work.

Good spot @stanleypops66

I was assuming the thread was about a limited company.