My wife/partner's titlw

[David Hartzog]

My wife is going to set herself up as an employee for the next tax year so that she can accumulate Social Security points and be considered a professional. She works from the home and keeps the kids and I already give her $1500 a month. She handles payroll, schedualling, bids, dispatch, personel files, customer files and relations, billing and budgeting. If it has anything to do with a piece of paper, she handles it! And, if I need back up with an employee that won't listen to me, she's got my back.

She gets pretty ticked when she's referred to as a housewife, and people say she just sits around and sticks her nose where it dosn;t belong. I get upset too, cause I know niether one of us have the energy to deal with that kind of stupidity, especially cause I want to support my family and keep my kids from having to go to day care. So far, we've done good for 2 1/2 years and we've grown the company so that she can work from home.

Here's where my question comes in. She thinks having an official title will help her gain some respect with the employees and the public. She's a real modern woman, and educated, and thinks this will help her self-esteem too. But, what exactly do we call her. She's not a secretary. Bookkeeper seems a little narrow. She's more Office Manager, or she like's CEO. I'm listed as sole-propritor, so she's not co-owner. What do you think?

[strickdad]

[GroundKprs]

CEO = chief executive officer, in a corporation.

She sounds like the office manager.

Maybe just get her a few T-shirts that say, front and back: "THE BOSS"?

[wriken]

My wife don't even work for me Yet, hopefully next year, but she's called the BOSS right now. LOL :D

[bubble boy]

operations manager?

tresurer?

vice president?

[Envy Lawn Service]

Originally posted by bubble boy
operations manager?

I'll second that title. Sounds both professional and fitting.

[AztlanLC]

Just tell your workers and everybody else that you and her have the same authority in the business, my wife does pretty much all the stuff that you mentioned, she is the one that hand over the checks to my employees that kind of gives her more respect.

[Lawn Specialties]

Technically if your married and not incorperated she is co- owner. At least that's what my wife tells me.

[KirbyKLC]

If she is your wife :angel: , then you already know that she is the boss! I think Operations Manager would be appropriate. But if you put her on payroll, you're just adding to your expenses with taxes, wc, etc.

[Sean Adams]

Executive Administrator

or, if she's not fond of that.....

Big Cheese, Chief or....

change your business from a sole proprietorship to a general partnership and list your wife as co-owner...

[Lanelle]

I agree with Sean. It sounds like she does most of the administrative work so Executive Administrator or Vice President of Administration should be accurate. And I do understand her position about accruing Social Security. It may cost you a little more, but it is a way of showing that you value the contribution she is making to your company. While you are thinking about this, writing a job description (together) may be beneficial also.

[bilbo7021]

if you were to ever incorporate, she'd be the COO (Cheif Operations Officer). otherwise, I don't see why she couldn't use Operations Manager even with you being a sole proprietor. and since you already give her money, just claim that as her salary. but beware all the little employment taxes that pop up.

[therainman]

This sounds very similar to my situation. We have given my wife the title of Office Manager. This appears on some banks docs and stuff for her to sign.
works well for us

shawn

[Stonehenge]

Maybe this will help - first off, you shouldn't be a sole prop - too much persoanl liability. File as a LLC or Sub S corp.

I've got a Sub S corp. As such, the person in charge's title is president, whether you want it to be or not. 2nd in charge is VP. Doesn't matter if that person earns $0 (which is the case with my wife). She's still VP.


So you can kill 2 birds with one stone - get some liability protection for your home, and get some cool titles to boot.

[GroundKprs]

For a small sole prop, there is no extra tax expense incurred by putting your spouse on a formal payroll. Spouse's income and employment taxes just reduce your liability in that area. You can even gain a great tax advantage by paying his/her (and his/her spouse's) health insurance as an employee benefit. In that case, you would pay a little extra in unemployment taxes, but the savings on health insurance deduction far outweighs that.

But, as pointed out above, once you are outside the family as employees - even with adult relatives other than spouse as employees - it's time to seriously investigate incorporation. Limitation of liability and tax advantages can be explained to you by a competent accountant in your area. Lawyers and business counselors often push incorporation, but an accountant will give you a good $ and ¢ picture of that route.

[John Allin]

If you give her a title (Ops Mgr does it), put her on the payroll, and can prove she does the job (business cards suffice), and you're a sole prop - she is NOT half owner if you get sued. She becomes party to ownership in the event of a divorce, but not if you're running it as a business.

Been there, done that - know for certain it's true.

[65hoss]

Simple and to the point: Manager

My thoughts:
Office mgr--sounds like she is only in charge of paper.
Business mgr---sounds like a glorified office mgr.
Operations Mgr---better, but my opinion in your situation sounds like your fishing for something.
Vice President---nope, your not incorporated.
Manager---it says it all. No questions asked. Has authority inside and out.

My thoughts anyway...:)

[f350]

v/p of operations
cfo
v/p human resouces
labor cordinator
v/p customer relations

[Randy J]

I don't have a good answer for your question, David, as I haven't given that much thought to titles. But I want to say congratulations for having your wife work with you in the business like that, and especially for having the gumption to not send your kids to day care. I think they'll grow up much better being raised by Mom & Dad, then being raised by some day care worker!

Randy

[Envy Lawn Service]

Originally posted by Randy J
I think they'll grow up much better being raised by Mom & Dad, then being raised by some day care worker!

And to think some people wonder why I work my butt off all the time.

Well said.

[David Hartzog]

Thanks to everyone for their help! And, Randy, thanks for backing me up about my kids too.

She had her mom brainstorming too and they came up with Administrative Director. Admin to imply all of her jobs in the office and Director because ...well she directs. I am Owner/Operator so we didn't go with operations manager, cause it sounded redundant.

Thanks again. Dv H.

[Lanelle]

I like it.

[Green Pastures]

I think she needs to get over this need to be recognized by people who only recognize your worth if you have some title. Have you ever been a GOOD housewife? There is nothing wrong or reason to be ashamed of being a housewife. It's probably the single most difficult job to do WELL on the planet. I HIGHLY respect someone who is willing to be a housewife and takes the time to be a good one. God bless her, screw whoever dont like her or her title.

Title schmitle, who cares?

You could give her the title of CEO and that might go over big at a cocktail party but as soon as the next question is posed all the prestige will be out the window. Example:

friend "what is it you do"?

your wife " I'm a C.E.O."

friend "oh really!!! where do you work"?

your wife "I'm C.E.O. of my husbands lawn care business"

friend "Oh"..........

Every time I tell people I own and operate a landscaping business I get the same thing. People are not impressed, not that I want to impress them, but being a "landscaper" is not going to make her feel any better.

Oh well, just my opinion.

[bob]

My CPA had me put the business in my wifes name. This way when I go on unemployment from my day time job, I'll still be able to collect. I don't collect a pay check from the lawn business.

[bubble boy]

if it works for you fine, but i wouldn't advise that to others with the divorce rate at about 37%.

and here, gov would simply ask how many days were you unable to work last 2 weeks. and WHY..so if the found out bye bye EI...

[David Hartzog]

Green Pastures is right. Who cares about her title?

I know she's irreplacable and I think she is an excellant housewife. very clean. very good mom. Its very hard for her cause she's learning from scratch.

Her only frustration really comes from employees not recognizing her as 2nd in command. We are equal in our work together, but some guys just don't get it. I've got her back on that issue...I tell them to respect her.

I think her main concern is the paperwork, title, Social Security. People probably won't treat her any different cause she's at home. I don't know. I just want her to feel as important as I know she already is.

[Green Pastures]

David,

You are key in getting them to respect her. No flames, but do you respect her in front of your employees? Maybe the next time a hard thing like firing somebody needs to be done she should do it.
It doesn't matter what her title is, my employees better respect and obey my wife (whenever i get one) or they will meet my wrath, same with my kids. I've always said my kids better never talk down or disrespectfully to my wife, not their mother, MY wife. There is a difference.

Everybody will treat my wife as the queen that she will be, and the treatment others give her stems from the treatment they see you giving her.

Never say anything dispariging about your wife in front of employees. EVER.

Again no flames or accusations David, just saying what's on my heart. I'm sure your wife is awesome, treat her as such and give her some responsibilities and ALWAYS back her up, the employees will learn who is in charge.

[Equipguy]

Have you considered.......Supreme Commander?

[Randy J]

Originally posted by Equipguy
Have you considered.......Supreme Commander?

LOL. Or, She who must be obeyed?

Randy