25
Separation Anxiety
I started a new job in September and I couldn't be happier in my new role! My coworkers are great, the job is an excellent learning opportunity for me, and the company is the perfect place for me to grow my career.
However, since I've been gone, I've had coworkers from my previous company reach out on 3 separate occasions asking me questions specifically related to my old position. Is this as inappropriate as I think it is?? I don't work there anymore, and I haven't since September. Not to mention, this specific coworker was a nightmare to work with while I was there and had a major hand in my decision to leave.
I'm wondering as I'm still relatively new to the working world, and maybe this is an unspoken rule I don't know about? But I would assume that, once I'm not paid by the company anymore, I shouldn't be asked to do things for them anymore.
Cinzia IacovelliMarketing Manager & Mentor
1.01k
12/18/20 at 5:48AM UTC (Edited)
Hi Julia, I think this is inappropriate and they should contact their manager for any questions they may have about your old position. The first answer is just courtesy but going on it can be just annoying.
Christina SantoroWholesale Footwear Sales Executive
41
12/17/20 at 11:58PM UTC
One or two questions I consider a courtesy to answer and not burn a bridge, but if you are consistently being sought out, I think a polite way to duck out would be to say that you would love to help, but that your new position is very demanding and you are in the middle of a big project with tight deadlines which doesn't allow you the time to help them. Hopefully they get the hint....
Marguerite NicoDedicated Customer Service Professional
51
12/17/20 at 6:59PM UTC
My former company didn't have any idea of what I did. They continued to call me until I kind of snapped and told them that I needed to be paid. Then they slacked off a little but recently, with more people taking early retirement, the calls are creeping up again. They won't pay me for being a consultant so I try to limit my assistance to the miminimal amount I can do for them.
Anonymous
12/17/20 at 6:26PM UTC
I haven’t personally had this to happen, but someone posed a similar question a couple of months ago. I remember the suggestions being to respond professionally stating that you are unable to respond to any job related questions as you are not at liberty to do so. One reason being is that this could be a legal issue with your former employer (current too). As for the consultation fee, others stated that if you wanted to, you could take on the work as a consultant depending on your current company’s policies i.e. not in a non compete agreement.
April
273
12/17/20 at 5:22PM UTC
I would politely redirect that Caller to her manager and tell her professionally that it is in appropriate for you to continuously answer work related questions. If it continues, I would contact your old manager. Additional help would require a contractual fee. To your initial question- yes - if you are an SME ( subject matter expert) you will get a few questions when you depart especially if your replacement is less knowledgeable . Not wise but it occurs. It is important to consider whether you want to share your personal contact and whether you want to answer the call from a past employer. That much you can control with no reason to feel bad about your decision to ignore. Remember why you left.
Rebecca Lee VCredentialing Specialist
3.31k
12/17/20 at 2:01PM UTC
They should not be containing you. I would gently redirect them to the manager.
SamJill of all trades, master of some
361
12/17/20 at 1:58PM UTC
If you want to respond on a professional note, simply tell them that since you are no longer employed with the company, you are not at liberty to discuss anything with them.
Personally, although I wouldn't mind making some side money, I think asking for funds for questions could land you in hot water (conflict of interest, second business, etc.) I'm pretty sure you meant it in a joking manner, but if that person who is asking was a thorn in your side, it's sure to backfire on you - they made complain about the "fee" (jokingly told to them or not).
jmho
Anonymous
12/17/20 at 1:58PM UTC (Edited)
I would agree with you! As you no longer work for the company, if an former colleague reaches out very occasionally - that's one thing. But to consistently reach out, eh.
I personally haven't had a former colleague reach out to me for help after I left a job, but you can also take it is a compliment though.
Overall, it is not your responsibility to help them. So you don't burn bridges, maybe you can include in your email next time they reach out, a best point of contact at your former company. Or direct them to their manager?
Hope this helps!
Anonymous
12/16/20 at 8:01PM UTC
I agree that if you're not paid by the company anymore, you shouldn't be asked to do their work. I'd respond to the former coworker with your consultant fee charge in order to further assist with work-related questions.
