Working for your partner

[Grimes88]

Moved to Scotland from Cumbria way because I'd met someone really special and over a few months the long distance thing wasn't working for either of us, had no strings, friends and family were all supportive, so took a jump and moved! It's been generally really good. We got engaged, been together 2.5 years. I had planned on getting a job there ASAP, I'd been a PA most of my life but left that job ready for the move. I was panicking a bit because I was looking for work but absolutely nothing was happening, they don't really have a big 'corporate' vibe here in the Highlands so jobs in my 'field' were close to non existent. He told me relax, don't worry about it too much, you can help me with my business doing admin whilst you look for work, various bits of paperwork, invoicing, a pretty big mix of support etc. but now the job is creeping more into 4 full days a week and and I admit I've allowed the job role to get bigger. I've got loads of plans for how to do things better and move the business forward and he's all on board with that, he's really happy with all the support and to be honest I am getting really stuck into it. He pays me and it all ticks along really well...

HOWEVER

Am I being really fucking cheeky when I ask things like, can you make me a part of your company? Or like, can I have more stability, more weight to my role and the business, like add me as a director or something, not even for money but so I have some level of stability even because at this stage I'm now financially dependent on him AND am very involved with the business, so I just feel like I've leaving myself wide open.

I'm not just a PA as I mentioned just there, and given the madness of the role, unpredictability, training and learning I've done., the fact there's no office base and a lot of it is physical/audited paperwork it would be very difficult for him to replace as it's such a mixed bag. He's never had a PA before everyone who works for him as reluctantly mucked in and helped ot where they can or had a friend help with stuff one night a week.

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

@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.

Ah that would be really helpful thank you, definitely - anything I've looked at online is either American or not legit!!

Sorry I'm rubbish on here - it's saying your username is invalid when I try a PM?

It's saying username is invalid when I try to PM? Sorry I'm not great with MNet!

@Grimes88 sent you a wee poke.

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.

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.