Employee's decision to hire friends backfires badly:'They do bare minimum'

A senior employee’s attempt to blend camaraderie with professional responsibility has led him into an unexpected and uncomfortable position. Sharing his story on the subreddit Indian Workplace, the individual recounted how his well-intentioned move to bring close friends into his organization has now spiraled into a situation he deeply regrets. What began as a gesture of goodwill has turned into a personal and professional dilemma, leaving him torn between loyalty to friends and responsibility to his role.

From Loneliness to Friendship-Filled Teams

According to his account, the individual had worked for years in a company where he developed close friendships with colleagues. These bonds grew stronger, and when he later moved into a senior role at a new organization, he felt a sense of isolation. The new workplace was highly professional, with little room for personal warmth or camaraderie. In search of companionship, he decided to recreate the friendly environment he once enjoyed by bringing in his old friends.

When a chance to expand his team arose, he used the opportunity to hire his closest companions. He ensured they received attractive salary packages and made the interview process relatively smooth. Soon, the office atmosphere was filled with laughter, casual banter, and after-work gatherings. For a while, this decision seemed like a perfect blend of personal happiness and professional advantage.

The Unraveling of Expectations

However, within a few months, the reality of his decision began to surface. Instead of stepping up and sharing the demanding workload, his friends adopted a laid-back attitude. They often performed only the bare minimum, leaving him to handle crucial tasks alone. What he had hoped would reduce his stress ended up adding to it.

"They don’t take anything seriously , the do bare minimum only , I was expecting they would share my work load , but here I am doing their work and double checking everything so that there no escalation and no one question my hiring," he wrote.

The situation grew worse when he noticed that while he worked overtime, even on weekends and holidays, his friends frequently took leave and avoided responsibility. Since he was their reporting manager, no one else in the organization questioned their performance. To maintain team credibility, he overcompensated by working longer hours and double-checking every detail, ensuring no mistakes reflected on the group.

Despite his repeated attempts to encourage them to improve skills and take their roles seriously, his friends dismissed his concerns. Their indifference left him burdened, exhausted, and questioning his earlier decision.

The Struggle Between Friendship and Duty

The employee admitted that he technically had the authority to terminate them, but the emotional bond complicated matters. Knowing that his friends lacked the resilience to thrive in the current job market, and considering they had financial obligations such as family responsibilities and loan repayments, he hesitated to act against them. Instead, he found himself trapped in a moral conflict—whether to protect his friends or safeguard his own career.

At times, he even contemplated resigning and starting afresh in another company, simply to escape the stress.

A Turning Point: Confessions and Fractures

Later, in an update to his post, the employee clarified that his friends did indeed possess the necessary skills, which was why he hired them in the first place. The problem, he explained, lay in their reluctance to handle the intense workload at the new company compared to their previous organization.

After speaking with them individually, he realized the divide within his circle. One friend showed commitment, expressing the desire to remain and grow in the role. The other, however, displayed arrogance and resistance, blaming him for dragging him into such a stressful environment. That friend made it clear he was unwilling to adapt and ultimately decided to resign within a month. Although the employee offered help in finding alternative employment, the friend declined, leaving him to manage his own future. This left the employee painted as the antagonist in the eyes of his peers.

Reactions from the Online Community

Redditors were quick to offer both empathy and practical suggestions. One user recommended that he protect his friendships by tactically shifting the blame to higher management. By presenting the workload as pressure from senior executives, he could gradually push his friends to step up while still appearing supportive. This, they argued, would ensure accountability without jeopardizing relationships.

Another suggested a more straightforward approach: openly question their performance during team meetings. Doing so in the presence of others would compel them to take responsibility while discouraging the employee from silently shouldering their duties.

Some commenters, however, questioned the very foundation of the friendships. They argued that true friends respect boundaries and would never exploit someone’s professional credibility. According to them, the employee needed to prioritize his career over misplaced loyalty, and if necessary, escalate matters to protect his own future. Genuine friendships, they pointed out, could withstand conflicts, while shallow ones would dissolve under such pressure.