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I have a issue within the small company (under 10 employees) I work for and need some advice.

I have been employed with the company 10 years. During this time I have seen the boss's son come and go many times due to disagreements, arguments, or him simply taking 1-2 weeks off at a time and returning like he never missed a minute.

The guy is early 30s and has never worked for any company but his fathers. He came back to the company about 18 months ago after being gone a few years. This time his father put him in charge of accounting, production and inventory control. We are a M-F 8-5 business. The son lives on the property of the business and does not wake up for work until about 10am. He then makes himself breakfast until 11am then usually takes a hour lunch around 2pm. We catch him most days hiding in his personal office playing video games or on his phone.

Meanwhile production is running out of parts and some customers are 7 months behind on payments. Myself and the other employees are held to very high standards when it comes to performance and attendance. A employee can be reprimanded for being 5 minutes late but meanwhile Jr is still sleeping. Even our part time college students have a difficult time respecting his authority and directions. Recently Jr walked out in a tantrum and has been MIA for 5 days.

I fear the owner is going to let him return. I am paid very well at this job and get many company perks, but this has worn on me for so many years I cannot see myself with the company in 2019 if Jr returns. What should I/we do?

I am paid very well at this job and get many company perks, but this has worn on me for so many years I cannot see myself with the company in 2019 if Jr returns.

Based on what you describe, it is to be expected that this person will eventually return to the company, sooner or later, as it has happened before.

Considering this fact, seems that you already have your answer: start looking for a new job for when this person returns.

It is unclear what you have tried so far to change this situation, and if you haven't tried anything you should before considering doing so before deciding to leave (although as per your description it sounds like you already tried every other resource).

Well what you should do is pretty obvious, and you've come to the same conclusion yourself so I'm not sure why you're asking here. The owner is well aware of his son's behaviour and chooses, time and time again, to overlook it. That's your answer. There is no way to better the situation short of the company failing and the owner starting a new one. You're way past due on your job hunt.

It seems like you enjoy what you do given the mention of being paid well and various company perks. I'm like you, if I can possibly prevent myself from having to find another job, I will at least give it a shot.

If you'd like to remain at this company I would begin the process of taking notes and recalling all past significant actions of Jr. Whenever he has done things unprofessionally and whenever he has cost the company money, write it down.

Finally, present your case privately to the owner of the company, and show him exactly why Jr should no longer work at this company. If the owner turns a blind eye/ignore your recommendation, then the owner doesn't care about their own company's well-being and neither should you. Start looking for another job.

Not your problem.

His hours and lack of production should be visible to the owner. It is not a minor role like stocking shelves and he is not rotating.

If you think he is going to put the business under then you should start looking for another job.

You can not win this one.

As the old saying goes, blood is thicker than water. The boss will always favor his son.

You have two distinct and simple choices:

Leave and miss out on the benefits or stay and put up with the way things are.

There are no inbetween options.

I've seen this kind of thing before in family businesses, the son won't change and the boss won't get rid of him. If you complain, you'll be the expendable one, not him.

Yes it is not fair and yes it is annoying but it is what it is.

What should I/we do?

Soldier on for the good money and perks just as you have been for the last decade. This situation isn't going to change. The boss knows whats happening, so do all the employees.

You've had a bit of a rant and should be feeling better now.

I'm not going to advise leaving, you actually seem to have a good stable job and it's not your company. Good pay and stable employment is not as easy to come by as some might think. Add problem free, and it's even rarer.