Kickbacks…Looking for feedback
My husband has worked as a subcontractor for a year. He’s not new to the business as he used to work for his father’s low voltage company when he was younger and later held a salaried position as a construction project manager.
Last year he decided to start his own business. He has built many business relationships throughout the years. He has a close relationship with the senior manager at the construction company and works for them as a subcontractor. When my husband started his company last year, this senior manager gave him many jobs right out the gate, and continues to do so and now we are profitable.
So now the kick back request…My husband finished a project, and the project specialist on that project is asking for money back. The senior manager is not the one asking, but this random project specialist. Basically the job finished $4K under what it was initially approved for. This project specialist does not want to leave money on the table. And asked my husband to add a line item on the invoice for 4K. And for my husband to pay him $2K and for my husband to keep $2K.
First off, we don’t need the money and want to tell this guy no. Second, who does this project specialist think he is that he can just ask my husband to do this?
My question is…..is this common? How have you handled a situation like this?