Am I obligated to respond to former employer?

[Anonymous]

Your boss should have arranged for the transition by talking to you about this before you left. If they didn't, it's on them. It's not your replacement's fault, so send them a single polite note: "Since I am no longer employed at XYZ, I cannot help you. Please direct all questions to [boss]."

That doesn't mean that you can't help out former bosses and coworkers, just that you have no obligation. A current coworker recently asked a former employee a question and got a helpful response, and she left 20 years ago. There's a reason things tend to be better at non-toxic workplaces!

[Anonymous]

As one prior response suggested, you have the option of offering to be available as a consultant at the rate you specify. If you do that, I'd suggest you indicate that your time is available in a minimum of 15 minute or half hour increments, to discourage random short questions or to at least compensate you meaningfully for answering them. Or you can choose to ignore the overtures, your choice.

[Anonymous]

"I can't help you, ask your boss" and block the number. I can't believe someone would do this, what a-holes!

[Anonymous]

Obligated? Of course not, but generally it's good practice to be helpful within reason. Sounds like they are contacting you more than what is reasonable. I'd respond but not make it a priority, if you are busy they can wait.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks everyone! I think I should have anticipated this because my boss actually asked me to contact my predecessor a few times when I was there. I always found a way to avoid doing it because it made me really uncomfortable.

I don't want to burn any bridges because it was a feat in itself to be able to leave on good terms, but I think I will need to block them. Thanks again!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks everyone! I think I should have anticipated this because my boss actually asked me to contact my predecessor a few times when I was there. I always found a way to avoid doing it because it made me really uncomfortable.

I don't want to burn any bridges because it was a feat in itself to be able to leave on good terms, but I think I will need to block them. Thanks again!

If you block them, you will be burning bridges. It sucks you're in this position, but that's the reality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I recently left a job in a toxic environment for a new job and my mental health is 100x better than it was when I was there. The problem is, my former boss has given my replacement permission to text/email me questions about random aspects of the job like where documents are located, what we did in specific situations, etc. My blood pressure spikes every time I get a text and it mentally brings me back to that place. Am I obligated to respond to these messages? How do I put an end this situation? Thanks.

I'm happy to help. I consult at $450 an hour and require a $15,000 non-refundable retainer

[Anonymous]

To not burn a bridge you can say something like .....
I am swamped right now and as much as I wish I had time to help I can't. So sorry that I can't be of greater assistance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I recently left a job in a toxic environment for a new job and my mental health is 100x better than it was when I was there. The problem is, my former boss has given my replacement permission to text/email me questions about random aspects of the job like where documents are located, what we did in specific situations, etc. My blood pressure spikes every time I get a text and it mentally brings me back to that place. Am I obligated to respond to these messages? How do I put an end this situation? Thanks.

Hmmm, wonderful your former boss "gave" permission...not really theirs to give IMO.

Whatever the issues are with your former workplace, it is not the fault of the new person. Perhaps kindly let them know with your next/last response that you've moved on, will no longer be available for contact and best of luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Obligated? Of course not, but generally it's good practice to be helpful within reason. Sounds like they are contacting you more than what is reasonable. I'd respond but not make it a priority, if you are busy they can wait.

Absolutely disagree with the sentiment that this is good practice. It's good practice to move on when you move on and be clear you are doing so

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hell no. Block the numbers.

This

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To not burn a bridge you can say something like .....
I am swamped right now and as much as I wish I had time to help I can't. So sorry that I can't be of greater assistance.

This is probably what I would do. I would also wait a day or two before responding.

[Anonymous]

If it makes it easier to reply you can always say you can’t do any work outside your job due to conflict of interest policies, and that may very well be the case.

[Anonymous]

OP, don’t respond and don’t reach out to your boss. If there wver is a need that it comes up, you can say you never received it. You never know and don’t want to burn a bridge by saying you won’t respond or asking them not to share your info.

Do people know when you block them? Or does it still seem to them like the message went through?

[Anonymous]

It seems pretty rude to block your replacement without explanation, it isn’t his/her fault your old boss told them to contact you. They aren’t doing anything wrong and you don’t want to burn bridges by just never responding. But I think it’s totally reasonable to tell them politely that you aren’t able to help, but good luck and goodbye. I have always fielded a couple random questions after leaving jobs - like where is X stored, which vender did I use for Y.