Dave Ramsey has blunt words for businesses employing problem family members

A common problem for businesses can be difficult to deal with on a professional and personal level.

Personal Finance personality Dave Ramsey has some straight talk on his preferred method of handling it.

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An advice seeker recently asked Ramsey how he should approach solving a situation involving a family member he employs.

"Dave," he wrote, identifying himself as Mo, according to KTAR News in Phoenix. "I own a small residential tree service company. Last year we made a little over $300,000 in revenue, and this year we’re on track to make around $750,000. We have five employees, and one of them is my brother. He's the kind of guy who, when he’s on, is really good. But when he’s not, he can be antagonistic and hard to be around."

"Most of the time everyone just shakes it off, but I’m beginning to think his inconsistent attitudes and behaviors are becoming detrimental to the culture I’m trying to create within the company," he continued. "Can I get your thoughts on this?"

Ramsey first offered some positive words of encouragement.

"It's great your company is growing like that, man," Ramsey wrote. "Congratulations!"

The author and radio show host then gave him some advice regarding tough love.

"Now, are you ready?" he asked. "Because I’m going to hit you with a pretty stiff jab. Allowing someone you love to misbehave isn’t grace or mercy — it's cowardice. Grace and mercy mean you love someone enough to approach them about their misbehavior."

Handling the problem with straight talk

Ramsey explained what he would do to try to deal with the family member.

"If I were in your shoes, I’d have a serious heart-to-heart talk with the guy. I’d tell him I love him and that he'll always be my brother, but I can't allow him to disrupt the company with how he's acting," Ramsey wrote. "I'd give him the chance to address the behavior and fix the problem, but if he can't or won't do that, I'd let him know he can't be a part of the business anymore."

Ramsey explained why people who disagree with the idea of doing this are mistaken.

"A lot of people might say that's mean or you shouldn't treat family that way, but those folks would be wrong," he wrote. "If the other employees don’t like or respect him, he's not dependable, and he's causing other issues within the company, the job and the kind of work you do may not be for him."

"If that's the case, keep loving him and let him know you’ll help him any other way you can, but you won't allow him to continue being a thorn in everyone’s side," Ramsey added. "I mean, he's your brother. But right now, he's also an employee and a coworker."

Revoking a 'get-out-of-jail-free card

Ramsey told the business owner that he believes this can be done in a practical and kind way.

"Walk with him in the process. Let him know he doesn't have to be perfect from here on out, but that you want to see clear signs he's trying to change and improve some things about himself," he wrote.

 "Because he's not going to have his best life — no matter what he does or where he works — until he addresses these negative behaviors." 

"Good luck, Mo!" Ramsey wrote.

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