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Work / personal life dilemma

(10 Posts)
PinkCosmos Mon 04-Apr-22 15:29:37

My DH is self employed but has a large contract with a local company.

We have friends (husband and wife) who worked for the same company but he was asked to leave on suspicion of theft and she was mysteriously made redundant about twelve months later.

They had both worked there well before my DH and in completely different areas.

My DH is now friendly with the boss and occasionally sees him outside work. He has become aware that my DH sees the other couple outside work and is not happy about it as they caused so much trouble for the company previously.

This has caused a dilemma. This contract is my husbands main source of income. Do we avoid seeing this couple for fear of my DH losing his contract? I think the boss has found out that we see them as the couple post their life on Facebook. They don't include us on Facebook - we have asked them not to - but people put two and two together and word gets around.

We (me and DH) both get on with the couple but I fear that they could be troublemakers. I don't want to fall out with them. On the other hand, the boss should not be able to dictate who my DH sees outside work.

The couple will be suggesting holidays soon. I don't want to go away with them but am very non-confrontational. I don't want to upset anyone but I also don't want my DH to lose his contract.

Oopsadaisy1 Mon 04-Apr-22 16:42:12

Difficult one, firstly the ‘friends’, you say that they are potential troublemakers, so don’t go on holiday with them, get your big girls pants on and tell them . No.

Secondly, maybe the sacking and ‘redundancy’ were something that compromised the Company and your DHs boss is aware of this and doesn’t want your DH involved?
He might be trying to warn your DH to stay away from them for his benefit rather than the Companys’.?
Can your DH afford to lose the contract because you go out with people that you don’t appear to like very much?
However, you are correct in that the boss shouldn’t dictate what you do on your time off.
As I said, a difficult one.

PinkCosmos Mon 04-Apr-22 17:11:25

I think they can be troublemakers at work - if they don't get their own way.

The sacking involved a pay off so that he didn't disclose information he had found out about another colleague - who later resigned.

I think the boss dislikes the couple intensely because of the trouble they caused at work. He had to sort out the fall out from it. The couple can no longer damage the company but my DH worries that he will be 'damaged' by association.

My DH is worried that by associating with them he could lose his contract. However, we can't really say this to the couple. It is my DH's main income.

Carenza123 Mon 04-Apr-22 17:21:26

Is it really worth it to continue the friendship that you don’t seem overly bothered about. Imagine if your livelihood was seriously compromised by continuing with this relationship - could this friendship survive?

Calendargirl Mon 04-Apr-22 17:34:27

It sounds awkward, but I think your husband’s work must take priority. As others have said, you don’t sound overly fond of the couple really.

Don’t agree to holiday with them, and gradually reduce contact with them.

crazyH Mon 04-Apr-22 17:38:58

We had one such “friend”….keep away

Sago Mon 04-Apr-22 17:41:43

I can fully sympathise with the “boss” you don’t know what has gone on before and there is a saying that you can judge a person by the company they keep..

eazybee Mon 04-Apr-22 17:55:50

Your husband depends on the boss of a business for a good work contract, but this boss appears to be attempting to control his relationships outside work, over which he has no authority whatsoever. over. A former colleague was sacked on 'suspicion ' of theft, his wife made redundant later, and there appears to have been a pay-off to buy someone's silence. All highly suspicious.
You know this couple and must form your own opinion of the possibility of them causing trouble. It would be foolish to jeopardise your livelihood but I would be very careful with the boss also; he has dealt with these people and removed them from his business so what does he fear?
Tread very carefully round all of them and keep your social life private.

Jaxjacky Mon 04-Apr-22 18:40:17

I’d steer clear, neither you nor your husband know exactly what happened at the company, the boss does.

sodapop Mon 04-Apr-22 19:15:40

Calendargirl

It sounds awkward, but I think your husband’s work must take priority. As others have said, you don’t sound overly fond of the couple really.

Don’t agree to holiday with them, and gradually reduce contact with them.

I agree Calendargirl definitely don't agree to the holiday PinkCosmos

You don't need to be bosom buddies with the boss either, just maintain a friendly contact.