Advice needed re o/h's career move!

TomandBarbara

I am having a bit of a dilemma here with my o/h....he's not currently working but he would really like his own business. He's worked for other people before, both in a team and on his own. The last job he had he just worked with one other person (the boss), when he took the job the bloke had made promises about both his position and his salary. After 18 months his position remained the same as in not a lot of training and was still treated as a labourer, and his money didn't go up so he left.


Because of all the problems he has had in the past with jobs, (one job he had went bust after he had worked for a few months solid with no pay just to get it going again! then when it was took over he was only offered a sales job) he is very reluctant to go into another job where he would work for someone. So he wants to start up as a gardener, he's done a few jobs for people through word of mouth but it literally was just 2-3 jobs! He's not very confident so hasn't put himself about anywhere through advertising either.

Problem is he keeps on at me to see if I can get him a contract at my work doing the maintenance. We do have someone coming in but they appear useless, though no-one ever complains about it. I did ask my boss last year and he told me to put a quote in...o/h never did. Another year has gone round and o/h has asked me to find out if they still have a contract.

I feel a bit embarrassed by the whole thing as I'm not very confident either! Takes a lot to go in and ask boss (can be a bit arrogant sometimes) plus because I asked last year as well and o/h did not do anything I feel a bit daft. There are other issues too.....I'm worried he might not do it right as he's not had a huge amount of training in certain areas, worried if he does get a contract people here might be funny as he's my partner....don't want him having to deal with the woman in finance as she's a complete nightmare plus her son has his own landscaping business so I'm concerned she may stick her oar in and interfere with it all!

Advice would be much appreciated! Sure I'm worrying about nothing but I feel as though some stress has been added to my life which I could do without!

Oldernotwiser

I'd keep your work life and your private life completely separate. Your OH has already messed things up by not putting in a quote when he was asked to and there doesn't seem any reason why this won't happen again. All this could have implications for your own career.

To be honest, your OH doesn't really seem cut out for self employment and he seems to be using this as a way of running away from his employment troubles. He really needs to stick at a job and not run away when everything doesn't go as he would like.

bap98189

If he is going to continue to be a self-employed gardener then he is going to have to find jobs and that is going to mean selling himself.

I would take it no further on his behalf. He knows there is a contract there, if he wants it, he needs to phone up your company, and ask about it in the same way any other contractor would. If he previously worked in sales, I am astonished he has not already done this. Following up leads like this is standard practice for sales reps.

If your boss is sensible, he is not going to just give it to your OH because you work there. He will be treated the same as any other contractor, and may or may not get it. You have done enough by telling him there is a contract, which he could enquire about. Anything more he has to do for himself.

TomandBarbara

thanks for the advice. He hasn't worked in sales ever, he was offered a sales job through at his last IT firm and he refused it, it was not him at all!