Business co-owner fires 22-year-old sister from company, prevents husband from paying her until the end of the month: 'She wants to go on vacation'

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Ally Perry • Writer and Editor
Jun 7, 2026 1:15 PM EDT

Should exceptions be made for an employee just because you're related to them?

There is an argument to be made that family and the workplace don't really mix, purely because it can be difficult to stay professional when you are employed with (or employing) a relative. You might be inclined to indulge your nepotistic instincts and give them things that they do not deserve, and on the other hand, it is also possible that you might let immature family infighting get in the way of doing your job properly.

Still, if you have the power to get a family member a decent job, the temptation is always going to be there. That, or there is another relative putting on the pressure to get them working with you. As some like to say, with great power comes great responsibility. One of those responsibilities in this case is going to be making sure that this employee gets fair treatment.

In a scenario like this, it is also quite easy for the worker in question to have an entitled attitude towards their job. They may think that they can get away with what they couldn't do in other workplaces. When they go down this path, things can start to get complicated.

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  • A model representing a young female employee, sitting on a couch with a laptop on her lap
    via Resume Genius

    A model representing a young female employee, sitting on a couch with a laptop on her lap

  • A woman who ran a business with her husband was facing a difficult situation after employing her younger sister in a part-time role. Her sibling had been disruptive in the workplace and tried to cause drama to such an extent that the woman felt that she had no choice but to fire her from the job.

    Despite her work ending on the 10th, her husband promised to pay his sister-in-law until the end of the month so that she could go on vacation. The woman didn't believe she needed the money and told her that she would not be getting paid any more than she was owed. Her sister wasn't happy, leaving her wondering if she had done the right thing.

  • Am I wrong for telling my sister that she won’t get any money from us?

    My husband (40m) and I(35f) run a company together. He is the CEO, and I am the COO. We work well as a team: he is more diplomatic and conflict- averse, while I focus on finances, operations, and making difficult decisions when necessary.
    via throwawayx22x04
  • My younger sister (22f)worked for us part-time while studying. Over time, she repeatedly caused problems, including trying to create tension between my husband and me, speaking negatively about colleagues, and making disrespectful comments toward me. After several incidents, we decided to terminate her employment.
    via throwawayx22x04
  • Although her employment officially ends in the on the 10th of the month, I recently learned that my husband promised to continue paying her until the end of the month because she wants to go on vacation with her friends and I quote "she needs money". She made him feel guilty. She has
    via throwawayx22x04
  • savings, I think more than 6k. Well guess how my husband reacted to that? He agreed! This means she will receive several hundred euros she has not earned, despite having very few financial obligations (she lives with my parents and doesn't pay rent) and
    via throwawayx22x04
  • substantial savings. She was also the only one in the company who always asked if the money will come punctually. (It was never late) It always bothered me. Especially because she refused to do some of the tasks we gave her. It wasn't easy with her. But that's not the point. I just wanna clarify that she did a lot of
    via throwawayx22x04
  • mistakes and once even refused to attend a teams meeting because we told her it will happen between 3pm - 5pm and she thought it was not fair to make her wait 2 hours. Those 2 hours were paid, so she was sitting at home doing nothing. This caused a lot of tension and we had to wait for her during the meeting. It was
    via throwawayx22x04
  • embarrassing but we talked to her and tried to explain that we do not accept this behavior. But her attitude never changed.
    via throwawayx22x04
  • Stupid me forgot how manipulative she can be, she did that a lot with my parents. She also convinced my husband to pick up her work equipment because she doesn't want to bring it to the company. I called her and told her straight up that we are not paying her more than she deserves.
    via throwawayx22x04
  • Currently we released her from her duties and placed her on paid leave until the 10th.
    via throwawayx22x04
  • She denied it first, then she said; it's something I discussed with my boss and not with you. She wouldn't even receive the extra money as salary, just as bonus money. I told her she needs to bring the work equipment herself in the company and she freaked out. It's just 30 min with the car, but she doesn't have a car. Guess who has a
    via throwawayx22x04
  • car? Our stay at home mother and my sister is the youngest and only one who lives at home. However I also told her she will only get what she legally deserves.
    via throwawayx22x04
  • A model representing a young female employee sitting on a couch with a laptop on her lap while stretching
    via Resume Genius

    A model representing a young female employee sitting on a couch with a laptop on her lap while stretching

  • Pitiful-Prior-3337 NTA and your husband needs to grow a spine. Especially if he is the CEO.
    via Pitiful-Prior-3337
  • KaetzenOrkester The problem isn't your sister, it's your husband. He's the one who promised to pay her when she'd already been dismissed from employment. But you're NTA for putting a stop to that nonsense.
    via KaetzenOrkester
  • Greedy_Principle_342 NTA. She didn't earn the money, so there's no reason to give it to her. She sounds problematic and entitled.
    via Greedy_Principle_342
  • Advanced-Area4676 I don't care how manipulative my sister is, but I'd seriously have a problem with my husband if he did this. He better not agree to anything like this situation without talking to me first.
    via Advanced-Area4676
  • Sensitive_Sea_5586 NTA. She has not earned any additional money. However go pick up your equipment immediately, before she damages it.
    via Sensitive_Sea_5586
  • Ok_Drink8072 NTA, it's about time someone told her what's what. She wouldn't get an extra cent or have the chance to press the CEO at any other job, don't let her do it now
    via Ok_Drink8072

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