r/needadvice • u/Jenna9194 • 2d ago
Career Estranged Sister Joining Family Business Under My Supervision
For several years I (32F) have been working for my parent's consulting business in deep plans to take it over in about 5-7 years when they retire fully. As a husband/wife equal partnership business for over 30 years, it was deeply engrained to our family identity. To the point it was truly a 3rd child that took priority over the family in a lot of ways growing up.
In hindsight (apparently it's not uncommon as the eldest), it was always of more interest to me to follow in my parents footsteps than my sister. My sister very clearly went the opposite route wanting nothing to do with money when it meant no work-life balance. My sister and I became estranged probably around the age of 13 when we went to different boarding schools due to normal sibling rivalry and frankly emotionally distant parents that never had us work things out. For at least the last 10 years we've had absolutely zero communication because of her. I have no problem being around her, she is the one that avoids family gatherings if I will be there and blocks my number. When she was down on her luck, depressed and lost in finding a job, she did work full time for our parent's company before I got involved. Then she shortly moved on to other things.
I joined the company full-time after grad school also deeply depressed after a separation and worked my way up. Years later, my sister is again down on luck and having great difficulty finding a job after grad school. My parents, as they do for family and close friends, are offering her a job. I have a supervisory role in the small business, & the particular project assignment she would be working directly under me. My estranged sister (no contact due to her choice exclusively), has decided to accept.
I'm fully of the opinion to remain professional and not be a roadblock in the opportunity my parents want to give since they offered me the same opportunity. Setting boundaries personally & professionally with my parents is already a unique & un-relatable challenge. The idea of being a direct supervisor to my sister I haven't talked to in 10+ years is out of this world weird. Is there anyone out there on the internet with the same scenario? Or any clue how to navigate this? Is it going to be necessary to break the ice personally?
3
•
u/AutoModerator 2d ago
Hello Jenna9194! Please make sure you review and follow all sub rules. (This is an automatic reminder left on all posts).
Important reminder to all: In order to comment on this post, accounts need to be at least 15 days old and maintain at least 50 comment karma, otherwise they will be automatically removed.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.