Greetings Old Grey Fox,
As always it’s nice to hear your comments,
Two thing here to reply to what you’d said,
First do not employ family of friends, you’ll loose a friend if your getting to successful they tend to resent it, and again if a family member has been evicted by another family member and you buy them out? Whats to say they’re living off your earnings and have no need to try to better themselves second time around?
As for working long hours and employing people, I employed 15 people and after a few years I hardend up ref any misconduct ie It’s ok to rob from the company be it Fuel in a Jerry can while filling the companies van, or using the equipment for thier own use without any Insurance to use the van/ladders/carpet cleaning machines, etc etc etc, And then petty cash and so on,
I pulled into a little off the beaten track old fashioned petrol pump station run by an old couple for a refill,
As I drove onto the pump’s area one of my emplyee’s jumped over the front seat and into the back of the van,
The old dear (about early 70’s) came to the pump and as alway with a nice smile and started to fill the van up,
Her husband sat in the little shop part of the set up, they sold sweets and the like, And he was’nt to good on his feet anyway,
As i paid and had a quick chat with the old man and then got back in the van,
As i drove off I asked why the one lad was back on the front passenger seat, ?
One of the other lads said he’d filled up at this station and drove off without paying??? Laugh giggle giggle,
I turned the van around and returned to the station the old lady came out and asked if all was ok? I asked if she’d had a drive off with out payment?
The lad slid out of the van and said he was meaning to come back and pay but had’nt got round to it, £25-00 worth,
I paid for the fuel and told him to go and tell the old man how sorry you we’re and drove off leaving him approx 5 miles from my office I deducted the fuel cost from his wage and when his Mother phoned me that evening telling me what a rat I was for making him walk home ?
i TOLD HER HIS REMAINING WAGES WOULD BE POSTED TO THEIR HOME ALONG WITH THE P 45,
She said she would seek advice on taking me to court and she was going to get intouch with the local paper to tell them of my conduct ,
I never heard from her again,
And her son “Yes” the job centre phoned me to ask why he was fired,
I told them the full story and again I heard no more from anyone,
So I do know stress is not a good thing and running a small company is not always simple, But a lot depends on what you are made of;