At what point is your employee your competitor?

[SFA]

He was unemployed but billing approx $5,000 as side income.

[kcjenkins]

$5,000 per year.

You were right to be concerned, if such a small amount of business was a sticking point for him. More for what it says about his frame of mind than for the 'value' he would or would not bring with him.

[David W Ristau CPA]

No.

[MsTabbyKats]

Sounds to me more like your candidate just doesn't want a full time commitment.