I took over the family buisiness 6 weeks ago , the choice being find another job or take it on , so i took the plunge and took it on to see if i can build it back up into something good , if it doesnt work i'd have to get another job anyway and i'd kick myself for not trying and just giving up on it .
There's only me and a chap who's worked for us since he was 13 , coming in after school . Although trade has picked up a little its not enough to support the both of us , so i have to make him redundant . Something i'm not looking forward to doing , i've never had to do this before and he's a good friend ,having virtually grown up together .
I'm gutted that i have to do this , part of the reason i took the buisiness on was to keep him and me in work , we both have young families and all he knows is the butchery trade that we're in .
must be a real horrible feeling evel. business is business at the end of the day but there's no easy way to make somebody redundant, other than to give him a fair and honest explanation as to why you have to do it
Great mate and nice guy he may be, but I'm sure he'd put his own family's welfare above you if the roles were reversed.
There's only so much you can do so don't feel guilty (though you will feel bad). Unless he's thick he must have an idea that the business has been a bit too quiet lately and should expect it is in the air.
Great mate and nice guy he may be, but I'm sure he'd put his own family's welfare above you if the roles were reversed.
Too true
There's only so much you can do so don't feel guilty (though you will feel bad). Unless he's thick he must have an idea that the business has been a bit too quiet lately and should expect it is in the air.
Its been on the cards for a long time now and he does realise this , your right tho its not guilt i'm feeling , just the bad bit .
This won't save the guy's job and you may have considered it already but have you thought of increasing sales through the web?
Maybe you can set up an e-shop and mail order good quality meat. You'd be surprised how many people dislike the big supermarkets but have no really local choice now.
I saw it done up at Loch Fyne - not cheap but nice stuff, and a local black pudding maker (of all things) in Bury massively increased turnover by doing it. Great success, featured on local news a while back.
You could even get onto AO's market place as the official AO butcher!
Nostalgia isn't what it used to be.
Under the hood, you and me are the same (Lightning McQueen)
If you have to do it make sure you do so according to all the employment laws. If not he could have your @rse in the bacon slicer
Dept of Work & Pensions is a good place to start if you're unsure how to go about it.
This won't save the guy's job and you may have considered it already but have you thought of increasing sales through the web?
Maybe you can set up an e-shop and mail order good quality meat. You'd be surprised how many people dislike the big supermarkets but have no really local choice now.
I saw it done up at Loch Fyne - not cheap but nice stuff, and a local black pudding maker (of all things) in Bury massively increased turnover by doing it. Great success, featured on local news a while back.
You could even get onto AO's market place as the official AO butcher!
Thanks for the idea Jim , i hadnt considered that option . Something i will be looking into . Did it come frozen or fresh .
Trade has slowley decreased over the past 2 years , i believe its all down to how people shop , supermarkets and convenience , the High street is slowly disappearing due to retail parks and the supermarkets . There are no competitors around me and i'm the first butchers on a main road out of Brum city centre . As Jim suggested i think online shopping may be a way forward .
If you have to do it make sure you do so according to all the employment laws. If not he could have your @rse in the bacon slicer
Dept of Work & Pensions is a good place to start if you're unsure how to go about it.
Thanks Friggertool
Already spoke to the accountant about how to go about it , and how much redundency to give him .
I took over the family buisiness 6 weeks ago , the choice being find another job or take it on , so i took the plunge and took it on to see if i can build it back up into something good , if it doesnt work i'd have to get another job anyway and i'd kick myself for not trying and just giving up on it .
There's only me and a chap who's worked for us since he was 13 , coming in after school . Although trade has picked up a little its not enough to support the both of us , so i have to make him redundant . Something i'm not looking forward to doing , i've never had to do this before and he's a good friend ,having virtually grown up together .
I'm gutted that i have to do this , part of the reason i took the buisiness on was to keep him and me in work , we both have young families and all he knows is the butchery trade that we're in .
I feel like s**t and am dredding tomorrow .
that's an awful situation Evel, but you can't change
economic climates ... is there no way to offer him
some kind of redundancy package? ... no...you probably
aint got the cash or insurance
Not a good situation to be in, but you're the one who's taken on the real risk of running the businessand your family's welfare comes first. Nomatter, it's still a hard thing to do and I hope it goes OK and your freind gets another job quickly.
Thanks for the idea Jim , i hadnt considered that option . Something i will be looking into . Did it come frozen or fresh .
Evel, we bought it in the shop Loch Fyne Shop when we were up there but I just gave them a call this morning for you.
They vacuum pack and chill (not frozen), put into insulated boxes and send via Business Post Couriers in normal "ambient" delivery trucks all around the UK and worldwide. UK delivery is next day.
I hope this gives you some ideas and optimism for the future. If you get it up and running, PM me and I'll send you an order.
Here's a contact for Business Post Express. Mark Howe is their Commercial Sales Manager. He's based at Trafford Park, Manchester on 0161-869-1170. I'll PM his mobile number and email address.
I met him last week to discuss potential business for our company, API Group plc so tell him Jim Cunningham recommended you call him. He may put you onto a Midlands contact.
The lady at Loch Fyne said they were excellent and have used them for a long time.
Evel, don't envy your position - it's one of the most rotten parts of being an owner / manager, especially when it's personal, like in this case.
As GTVJim said, he must be aware of the situation - it's always worse when an employee does not see it coming.
FWIW, we go out of our way to use our local butchers for all of our meat, cheese, etc - in fact, I make it a point to use local merchants wherever possible, for all our needs, rather than hitting the super's. I feel we owe it to them, living rural as we do. Besides that, the quality is so superior, and the traceability on the products is complete. I wish there was a movement in this country to promote the use of small local businesses rather than relying on the big box / supers...I know it is all about convenience, but there is more at stake here.
Best of luck; as I say, I have been in your managerial shoes before, and it is never pleasant - but do what's necessary, tell it like it is, and move onward and upward. Pigfamer makes several good points, as well..
You've plenty of supporters here....best wishes.
when in trouble, when in doubt...run in circles, wave and shout !
Unlucky Evel. I've been there - had to make 25 people redundant while I got handed a new job. It is really awful, but just sitck to the facts and the rules, and be as honest and open as you can.
Redundency
