Hiring the PI’s Spouse and the Effect on Lab Morale
by
“In group meeting today, I’d like to welcome a new member to our group, Agent Zero.”
“Agent Zero?!” You whisper, leaning over to a labmate sitting next to you.
“What are you talking about? He said ‘Dr. McIntyre’ – it’s his wife.”
“Then why does she keep turning her head and covertly talking into her shirt sleeve?”
“That’s called covering your mouth when you cough. By the way, take notes on that one.”
“Something’s going on here.”
“Yeah, you need to step away from the solvents before coming to group meeting.”
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A lab is a complex ecosystem and a PI’s decision to hire their spouse can turn lab morale – and the PI’s marriage – on it’s head. Assuming, of course, it wasn’t already there. Of course, the PI-Spouse duo must make sure that personal issues are left at home and a professional environment is maintained in the lab. However, even in the absence of personal drama the impact on lab morale may be significant.
Married couples eventually morph into the same person – say something to one person and you’re essentially saying it to the other. In a lab where it’s hard to capture the PI’s attention for more than one hour per quarter, the spouse may represent a great opportunity to communicate indirectly with the boss. (“You know, Mark is really struggling with his project and could use a little guidance – you should talk to him.”)
The two-body problem is a serious one for scientific couples especially if one of them is pursuing the academic path. Jobs aren’t always found in cities with thriving academic or industrial communities, leaving the spouse with limited options. Yet, even with the best of intentions a PI’s motives will likely be questioned by lab members, resulting in an undercurrent of suspicion – as evidenced by biokid’s recent request for help from Dora. Although hard-working lab members should have nothing to fear about the PI knowing the details of their day, one can’t help feeling spied on. And the last thing we need is big brother timing our bathroom breaks.
So what do you think – should working with the PI’s spouse be considered an opportunity or a punishment?
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Ever worked in a lab with a PI-Spouse combo?
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sciguy
wrote on January 19, 2012 at 9:37 pm
I think a large part of the effect on morale depends on the qualification of the spouse doing the job. If the husband or wife of the boss is brought into the lab because they can't get a job somewhere else because they're not a good scientist, then the hiring becomes obvious nepotism and will create resentment and frustration among the group. I know of husband/wife pairs that are both well-trained scientists and their lab environment doesn't seem to be affected.
Cindy
wrote on January 20, 2012 at 12:58 pm
@sciguy It also depends on the job itself. I worked in a lab where the P.I.'s wife came in four days a week to help out as a lab manager. She would place orders and make sure the lab was stocked with all of the supplies it needed. Although she wasn't trained as a scientist, it was clear she was just there to help things run smoothly in the lab. On the days she worked, she was in lab from 10-4 and it was clear she wasn't trying to be a spy for her husband.