17 Common Hiring Mistakes: Part 1
Hiring Friends or Relatives Just Because They Are Available
When Jim Sloan of Able Silk Screening Services was ready to hire his first employee, his sister-in-law, Sue, was unemployed and looking for work. Though she had no experience as a screen printer, she was desperate for a job and immediately available. Jim hired her. It didn’t take long before Jim knew he made a mistake. Sue was often late, took long breaks and continuously complained about the work. It was clear this was not the job of her dreams.
As soon as the orders slowed down, Jim let Sue go. A few weeks later, work picked up and Jim hired an experienced screen printer, who has worked out well. When Sue found out, she was livid! Needless to say, family reunions have become quite strained.
Most new businesses start by hiring the first persons available to them, which are usually their friends or family. This can sometimes work out fine, as you often get very loyal workers. But when it goes bad, it can go really bad.
When you make a bad hire and then later have to let the person go, that is the end of your relationship. This is not so with your friends and especially your family. You will certainly see this person at social or family gatherings, which may prove uncomfortable at best.
This is part 1 of 17 common hiring mistakes we have identified that companies should watch out for. Common hiring mistake #2 to come next week.
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