I hired a young man in my shop that had been a good neighbor and friend. The first year was ok but after he got a girlfriend he started coming in late regularly and missing a day about every other week. After keeping quiet for quite a while I had my first talk with him, things got better for a little while then went right back to where they were. I put off way to long to have the last talk for two reasons; #1 he was a friend #2 dreading the disciplinary actions I would have to take. During "the talk" he threw it back at me for his reasons for being late (not enough raises-not constantly praising). After I let him go I had a few of my good customers come to me and tell me the different ways the employee was ripping me off money wise. It's really hard to balance a friendship with a working relationship. They tend to take advantage because of that friendship. But business is business. Employees (friends) don't always see that.