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Legal recourse
I run a small business with 2 brothers & 1 sister. My sister & 1 brother "work" in the office. They show up about two or three times a week for about 4 hrs. each day. My sister gets paid a salery of 88K and my brother 75K. I work about 60 hrs. a week and get paid by the hr.@ 30 per hr. They help themselfs to bonuses and other perks. I want them to get paid a fair wage for the hrs. they show up for work. I want to have everyone get paid for what they work for. Do I have any legal recourse to change this?
Assuming you and your siblings are doing the same type of work, I would think it would be reasonable for them get paid by the hour such as you do, or at least be paid from the profits based on the percentage time contributed to company at the same rate.
But if everyone, or even one, have different tasks and skills, then you will need to create a written partnership agreement that I would suggest to include:
hourly rate, job title, hours required in office, responsibilities, approval for bonuses, ownership percentage of company, and voting rights (percentage) of partnership for management decision. Also, suggest you contact with attorney to draft up a partnership agreement that you can present to your siblings and say that you want to run this like a real business and feel that the time you put in is not fair.
I'm assuming by "legal recourse' you mean legally force them by court order if they don't agree with your reasonable request to change the business(??)... My guess, would be that it would be hard as in any partnership that isn't written, a court looks at it from "A Reasonable Man Standard" and that would be pre-established practices of partners. So again, my best answer would be to tell them it isn't fair and you'd like to get paid more for the more hours you put in, or they have to work more. But try to have something prepared in writing of what you think is fair and be open to discuss all options and stay positive. It sounds like you have a good business going and that is in everyones best interest to not let the business suffer for your short term differences, and be proud of yourself for keeping it together.
hope this helps.
It sounds like you need to convert the business from any kind of partnership into something else. You didn't mention who put up the capital to start the business. If it was your other "owners" and you didn't then I can see how they would act like owners instead of workers. It almost sounds like you need to do a complete re-work of the company's vision/sop etc and then sell it to the other owners.
Failing that I would consider getting up and taking the customers with you after you talk with a small business lawyer and other business consultants..
It all depends on how well you like your family. I would consult with a small business specialist lawyer. One who works on a LOT of small business activities.





