APPRENTICE star and West Ham United vice-chair Karren Brady answers your careers questions.
Here, Karren gives advice to a reader who wants to be an equal in her professional and personal relationship with her partner.
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Q: I started working for my partner’s business over a year ago.
While I knew there could potentially be pitfalls, I agreed because it allowed me more flexibility than my previous job, as well as some great opportunities, such as travel abroad.
However, I feel like the power balance at home has now shifted – I have to do all the household chores, as he is so busy with the business, and the line between our work and home life is non-existent.
How can I start feeling like more of an equal in both my professional and personal relationship with my partner?
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Name withheld
A: I can understand why you’re struggling to find the right balance.
Working with a partner can be rewarding, but it’s essential to set clear boundaries and for both sides to maintain a healthy dynamic.
Start by having an honest and blame-free conversation with your partner about how you’re feeling, and explain that you need his support because you love him, and you don’t want working together to negatively impact your personal relationship.
Establishing a separation between work and personal life is key – set “off hours” where work-related talk isn’t allowed.
You could also divide household chores in a way that feels fair.
Share work and personal schedules so you’re both aware of each other’s commitments.
It’s often better to have these conversations outside of the home or office, so perhaps go for a walk.
Regular check-ins are essential so you can share feelings and work together to find solutions.
And prioritise quality time that’s separate from work to nurture your relationship.
Addressing these issues early on is crucial to avoid unnecessary strain on both your professional and personal lives
- Got a careers question for Karren? Email bossingit@fabulousmag.co.uk.
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