Working with partner

[Seashells106]

When I met my partner 5 years ago he was managing the failing family business. We both put in long hours eventually bought the business off his parents and are slowly making a success of it but it's hard work. Hes not great with the finance side which is my role and this is where we disagree majorly. The latest disagreement is really topping me over the edge and I feel like walking out but I know if I do that he won't last 1 year before the business crumples and we hve a mortgage together. We both hve a son each the same age. When lads were looking for work my son got a job in McDonald's his couldn't get 1 (he refused to work in McDonald's) so my partner hired him and gave him more money then my son was earning. Which I thought was totally unfair as he was doing less work, coming to work late etc etc. Fast forward a year we move to a different area so my son is looking for work near home we let his son go because we had to close due to Cv. My son found work in warehouse, hated it and left after a week. My partner moaned about him leaving then his son got a job in warehouse and left after 3 days my partner never said a word to him. He has just told me his son can't wait to come bck to work for us as he hated job in warehouse and his coming bck to work full time. I am fuming, his son is absolutely useless, doesn't want to be there only wants the money, acts like he knows everything but constantly makes mistakes and was caught robbing a co workers lunch. My partner has blinkers on when it comes to him. But the main issue is we cannot afford to pay for someone who we don't need. My partner is having none of it and I just feel like walking out. Any advice welcome, sorry for the rant.

Either they are both hired and work for you or neither are.

Do you own any of the business you helped bring back to life?

No I do not own any of the business and his parents allowed him to purchase business over a 3 year period, we pay them a large monthly amount from our profits.
I would like to give my son a job but we cannot afford it and I believe they need to make their own way in life. It's too easy to hand him a job when he has no experience, we are a small business and we specialise in Wat we make. When his son was working we had to take an employee off their job to babysit him as before when he was shown Wat to do when left to finish the job after saying he knows Wat to do he done the total opposite. Now my partner has a highly paid employee actually sitting with him till he completes the task. As u can imagine the staff are not happy about it but my partner won't listen. His son has a horrible attitude and no interest in job. I work really long hours and it's very stressful and I don't get paid for the long hours as we can't afford it but then he pays his son who we clearly do not need. I am fuming and just feel like walking away leaving him to run the business.

Ultimatum time I think.
Either you work with your DS on your own or you work with me without your DS.
Then leave it up to him to make that choice.
And walk if you have to.
You cannot give an ultimatum if you are not prepared to follow through with it.
Say it and mean it!

So OP you work in your partners business for free because he can't afford to pay you. But you have no stake in the business. Yet he can find money to pay his son to work in the business? I'd be telling him if he wants you to continue to work in the business then you need a stake in it. Right now you're working hard for free to build up a business you most likely have no claim on. Do you have savings or pay into superannuation/pension? Is DP ensuring your financial future or just his own? If he can pay his son why can't he can pay you?

I get paid for working 40 hour week but do alot more hours and don't get paid cos we can't afford it and are trying to build the business up. But what a mug I am because yes ur right I hve no stake in business or God forbid anything happens him I get nothing. I feel terrible acting this way towards his son it's not personal but my partner says I dislike his son that's why I don't want him working for us. No he's bloody useless and expects handouts and has the boss is my dad attitude. thanks for your comments I don't feel like the horrible step mother now.

Are you married?
That would put you in an even worse situation if your not

No not married and I hve asked partner to do a will but he doesn't seem bother. His attitude is I'm going no where. An irresponsible attitude.