Have an employee that has had some addiction problems and maturity issues. Awesome worker and is really trying to straighten out his life. He's 36, still lives at home and needs transportation to work. Debating whether to by him a 2500.00 dollars or less vehicle and take out of his bonus and weekly pay till paid off. I realize it may be a bad to keep title in my name because of possible legal issues if there is an accident. How do I still keep control? If he begins using it to buy things he shouldnt and doesn't stay on the straight how can I park it?
What line of work are you in that you could keep an employee like that?
Do you own the business?
You're doing the right thing by trying to help him AND you get to keep a good employee (not easy to find)
What line of work are you in that you could keep an employee like that?
Do you own the business?
The government gives companies big tax breaks to take on employees like that just an FYI.
If he were to do that, he would need to make sure the guy has a valid license, and no DUI's on his background. The insurance is crazy expensive for employers to insure a vehicle with points or DUI's on their license.
+1
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you can register the car under your business and allow him to drive it as an employee. You can get extra insurance and/or make him sign agreements on what he can/can't do with the car. Should he run into problems you could immediately take the car back.
If he were to do that, he would need to make sure the guy has a valid license, and no DUI's on his background. The insurance is crazy expensive for employers to insure a vehicle with points or DUI's on their license.
Agreed there would be extra issues. But the OP was looking for a way to quickly take back the car if something went wrong and my suggestion would accomplish that goal.
So what problem are you trying to solve?
Focus on helping him solve his addiction problem before anything else. And unfortunatley an enabling employer may be part of the problem.
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In comment 14476808 Giantsfan79 said:
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you can register the car under your business and allow him to drive it as an employee. You can get extra insurance and/or make him sign agreements on what he can/can't do with the car. Should he run into problems you could immediately take the car back.
If he were to do that, he would need to make sure the guy has a valid license, and no DUI's on his background. The insurance is crazy expensive for employers to insure a vehicle with points or DUI's on their license.
Agreed there would be extra issues. But the OP was looking for a way to quickly take back the car if something went wrong and my suggestion would accomplish that goal.
He could simply gift the vehicle to him and have him "Pay " him $1 dollar and sign the title over to him. Avoiding the guy from being taxed out the wazoo.
I'm feeling like he wants to give him a work vehicle under the company name, but that's not a good idea.
The best way to help this guy is to get him a bus pass and ask if he wants financial counseling. You could provide that. There are even some free services/classes and you could give him time off to attend.
A talented guy should be able to put together $2500 in a short enough period of time in today's economy if they get their budget in order. They might have to make some sacrifices but that's what budgeting is all about.
If your true goal is to help him, this is the best advice I can offer.
What he said....and as mentioned buy him a bus pass instead or an Uber / Lyft gift card, if there is such a thing.
What line of work are you in that you could keep an employee like that?
Do you own the business?
I own a printing and sign company. I have had my own bout with dependancy during this nationwide opiate crisis. Doctor over medicated and now rely on natural remedies.
Exactly why I hesitate
Good point
So what problem are you trying to solve?
Focus on helping him solve his addiction problem before anything else. And unfortunatley an enabling employer may be part of the problem.
I don't think you can "solve" an addiction problem. He has come a long way with support. Thanks for advice
Pretty judgemental without knowing facts. I am his boss and good workers are much harder to find then people realize.
Don't people need a second or third chance?
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just no
Don't people need a second or third chance?
Sure, people do. However, if you're not sure it's a good idea, then it's probably a bad idea. Buy him a car and keep it in your name? you're liable for how it's used. You need to insure it and assume responsibility. If you own a business, that's a terrible idea. You want to buy him a beater, and hand it over to him with no strings attached? Ok, fine. Let him have it, let him insure it and let him be responsible. But it sounds like you're signing up to manage what he's buying and what he's not and that's just an idea that is likely to blow up in your face. You can't put yourself in the position where you're not just trying to manage him on the job but also off the job.
The hard truth about addiction is that folks either fix themselves or they don't.
The people that are killing you over it are just thinking about it from one perspective. Bottom line, it's your money and you can do what you want with it.
I mean how many rich kids, get hooked on drugs, and get cars and 1000 chances.
This could go a long way for your worker, but you can only lead someone so far, and the rest is on them to continue to grow the right way.
If you are gifting this to him, then just let it be that. You won't be responsible if the car is in his name. If your taking it out of his bonus I would definitely talk to him about it, because he might rely more on that then you would think, unless this is the first time and he has no idea he is getting one.
That said, my advice is to not buy him a car, even if it's in your name.
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Your own decision making would make me concerned if YOU were my employee, never mind the bloke you're trying to help.
Pretty judgemental without knowing facts. I am his boss and good workers are much harder to find then people realize.
In your situation, it may well be worth your money to help the kid out, but don't put yourself at risk over it.
Life has a funny way of treating you when you bend over and drop trou'.
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In comment 14476807 x meadowlander said:
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Your own decision making would make me concerned if YOU were my employee, never mind the bloke you're trying to help.
Pretty judgemental without knowing facts. I am his boss and good workers are much harder to find then people realize.
No, it was properly judgemental given the info I had.
In your situation, it may well be worth your money to help the kid out, but don't put yourself at risk over it.
Life has a funny way of treating you when you bend over and drop trou'.
I agree and thanks for input. I'm really impressed and find it heart warming with the amount of good sound advice I'm getting. It reaffirms my belief that most people are good and caring. It's just a small amount of bad people. This site is awesome and I am happy to be a part of it.
That said, my advice is to not buy him a car, even if it's in your name.
I'm really starting to lean towards not doing it. My gut tells me no and my heart says yes. Any time in the last 34 years of being in business and went against my gut feeling I have paid badly for it. I think my biggest concern as some have alluded to is how dangerous it could be for him and the public. I would never forgive myself if someone got hurt or killed.
That said, my advice is to not buy him a car, even if it's in your name.
Thanks. I believe you are right.
Good idea!
Your 100% correct and thus my hesitation. Thanks for taking the time out of your day to help me.
The people that are killing you over it are just thinking about it from one perspective. Bottom line, it's your money and you can do what you want with it.
I mean how many rich kids, get hooked on drugs, and get cars and 1000 chances.
This could go a long way for your worker, but you can only lead someone so far, and the rest is on them to continue to grow the right way.
If you are gifting this to him, then just let it be that. You won't be responsible if the car is in his name. If your taking it out of his bonus I would definitely talk to him about it, because he might rely more on that then you would think, unless this is the first time and he has no idea he is getting one.
That is definitely some sound advice.
Thanks!
If this were my own son, I would definitely not want to solve his transportation problem at that age by buying him a car. Not because I love him, but because it doesn't fix the problem.
Now your relationship with him (boss/employee) makes it inappropriate for you to lecture him about spending his money. However, since he's told you that he's having trouble getting the money together to buy a beater car, he's openly discussing his personal finances with you and you owe it to him to have a real honest conversation about budgeting. You probably shouldn't do it yourself, but you should suggest helping him get the kind of financial counseling that he needs to fix this.
Then you help him find the most cost effective way to solve his transportation issues. That may even mean buying a beater car for him, but probably there are better ways to do that. Either way, the financial support you give him has a chance to really help dig himself out of the hole he is in.
I believe a lot in giving a person multiple chances, but root cause has to be considered.
Tho agreed, you probably are safer 'not caring' so much, as commendable as it is (and as much as I hate telling you not to do it)
If this were my own son, I would definitely not want to solve his transportation problem at that age by buying him a car. Not because I love him, but because it doesn't fix the problem.
Now your relationship with him (boss/employee) makes it inappropriate for you to lecture him about spending his money. However, since he's told you that he's having trouble getting the money together to buy a beater car, he's openly discussing his personal finances with you and you owe it to him to have a real honest conversation about budgeting. You probably shouldn't do it yourself, but you should suggest helping him get the kind of financial counseling that he needs to fix this.
Then you help him find the most cost effective way to solve his transportation issues. That may even mean buying a beater car for him, but probably there are better ways to do that. Either way, the financial support you give him has a chance to really help dig himself out of the hole he is in.
I believe a lot in giving a person multiple chances, but root cause has to be considered.
Im sorry for not replying to your comment, I agree 100%. When I read it it made me think of this:
“You give a poor man a fish and you feed him for a day. You teach him to fish and you give him an occupation that will feed him for a lifetime.”
Thanks for the wise comment.
Tho agreed, you probably are safer 'not caring' so much, as commendable as it is (and as much as I hate telling you not to do it)
lol, If your in Myrtle Beach,SC drop on by. In all seriousness being a transplanted New Yorker here in the south the hardest workers are generally from up north. Not to disrespect my southern friends but they seem far more laid back. It's definitely a different mindset. Maybe it's not such a bad thing.
It definitely has been rewarding to see his improvement. Thanks for the reply, I think you may be right.
What about possible legal ramifications. I have heard horror stories about owners losing everything over something like this. Thanks for replying!
You're doing the right thing by trying to help him AND you get to keep a good employee (not easy to find)
Getting him an Uber account is the best idea on this thread so far.
Do you now how that works? Is there corporate discounts?
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Renting him a car or getting him an Uber account? It may be a little more costly but more control
You're doing the right thing by trying to help him AND you get to keep a good employee (not easy to find)
Getting him an Uber account is the best idea on this thread so far.
Trying to find talent in areas where the population is scarce is so hard.
It seems to me that buying him a car, or even trying to solve his transportation issues in any way, may infantilize him and interfere with the process of him becoming a fully functioning adult.
I don't know this guy, of course, and perhaps I'm wrong. But those are my thoughts.
I would be firing myself
Trying to find talent in areas where the population is scarce is so hard.
Lot of transients
It seems to me that buying him a car, or even trying to solve his transportation issues in any way, may infantilize him and interfere with the process of him becoming a fully functioning adult.
I don't know this guy, of course, and perhaps I'm wrong. But those are my thoughts.
Thinking about making him come up with half before it's even discussed any further
2. 'lives at home'. Who cares. This doesn't mean shit and is none of your business..there may be rational reasons for this. If it's due to addiction, refer to above but that's out of your bailywick.
3. ' Doesn't have car or drive.' If he's an addict, he should t have or drive. Barring that its Not your problem or issue.