meeting with wife at work?

Question

i was put in charge of planning a christmas parade float with two other associates at work. my wife is a designer and wanted to help out and so i asked her to the meeting. one of the ladies didn't object to me personally and afterwards went to my boss and complained so i was hauled in the office and asked why my wife was at the meeting.

is this a faux pas for business? now i feel bad at having to tell my wife she can't help with this, but there are no guidelines or policies.

what do you think?

Answer 1

That is very unfortunate.
There is always a miserable person who tends to get to technical and mean about such things.

But personally, I think that your thoughtfulness, consideration and confindence in your wife will be acknowledge by her, when you explain it, as you have here.

In the mean time, since you have been put in charge, I would assume that you are intitled to do research, inquire about certain designs and how to construct them. And you can still do that with your wife, providing she probably would not want to now.

Wow! some people are just so miserable.
Best of luck too you.

Answer 2

Was you co-worker told why you asked your wife to join the meeting? If it is something that is for your business I am thinking that the co-worker felt as if you shouldn't have been asked to do the job if you were just going to have your wife do the work for you. I'm not saying that's what you are doing, but that's what it is looking like to the co-worker. If I were you, I would apologize and let them know that you just wanted her opinion and in the future be sure everyone understands what you were doing. They may have wanted it strictly company employees working on the project and you could have simply asked your wife on the side. Be honest with her on what happened though. Have to have trust in a marriage. Good luck.

Answer 3

Perhaps it would have been best to have told your fellow co-workers about your wife and your reasons for inviting her before bringing her in. If it doesn't feel too late, you could still tell your co-workers and boss your reason for having brought her in and ask if they mind her returning.

Generally, bringing in anyone who doesn't work for the company could be considered a faux pas, regardless of whether they were of any relation to you. While it will rarely be written in any sort of employee handbook, again, it is always best to ask.

Best of luck!

Answer 4

That seems rather immature of your co-workers. You were put in charge to put this together and that gives you the right to construct however you want. Try to make them understand that because she is a designer she can direct y'all in a way that can result in a product that represents your company in a professional way. Not to mention the expense they'd save on hiring someone to come in. If they still decline, you can still have your wife give you some ideas.

Answer 5

Your wife might be the best designer in the world, and her heart is in the right place, but it's best to keep her totally out of your work-related events (with the exception of the Christmas party/company picnic, etc)...

Best to let her help you behind the scenes, without the knowledge of your associates. Run your ideas by her in private.

Answer 6

it should have been cleared with your boss first. anytime a person who does not work at a company should always be cleared by the boss or supervisor..