Am I obligated to respond to former employer?

[Anonymous]

I would happily answer up to 3 questions that I could answer in under five minutes. That just seems kind.

Anything that would take me longer than 5 minutes (ie, if they wanted me to do a task, rather than just give a quick "what is this" or "where is this") would be responded to with my consultant rates, from day one. I don't work for free. "Hello Larlo, nice to hear from you. I'd be happy to help with the TPS Reports. My consulting rate is $100 an hour, and I imagine I could complete that task in under an hour. Let me know if you wish to move forward. Hope all is well!"

Once the number of questions got above 3, I'd probably answer two additional questions but slowly. They text asking where X is? They'll get a response two days later.

After five questions, I would very politely decline. "Hi Larlo, As much as I want you to succeed in your project at Sucks A Lot Company, I've already answered five such questions and I really need to focus on my new position. Unfortunately, that means I'm no longer available to help out. Best of luck." If they came back with pressure, I'd go to my consulting rate. "If you really need me, I can help out at my consultant rate of $100 per hour, one hour minimum. Please let me know if you want to move forward."

If you get another question, silence. If you get yet ANOTHER question, block.

[Anonymous]

Super toxic - you should block the number and email and completely ignore.

[Anonymous]

So, you should have cooperated in transitioning your work before leaving. That was unprofessional. That being said now that you don’t work there, totally inappropriate for them to contact you like that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would happily answer up to 3 questions that I could answer in under five minutes. That just seems kind.

Anything that would take me longer than 5 minutes (ie, if they wanted me to do a task, rather than just give a quick "what is this" or "where is this") would be responded to with my consultant rates, from day one. I don't work for free. "Hello Larlo, nice to hear from you. I'd be happy to help with the TPS Reports. My consulting rate is $100 an hour, and I imagine I could complete that task in under an hour. Let me know if you wish to move forward. Hope all is well!"

Once the number of questions got above 3, I'd probably answer two additional questions but slowly. They text asking where X is? They'll get a response two days later.

After five questions, I would very politely decline. "Hi Larlo, As much as I want you to succeed in your project at Sucks A Lot Company, I've already answered five such questions and I really need to focus on my new position. Unfortunately, that means I'm no longer available to help out. Best of luck." If they came back with pressure, I'd go to my consulting rate. "If you really need me, I can help out at my consultant rate of $100 per hour, one hour minimum. Please let me know if you want to move forward."

If you get another question, silence. If you get yet ANOTHER question, block.

Or just do none of this and ignore them because they are getting paid to figure it out. Plus I wouldn’t enter a consulting relationship with a toxic former employer and give them grounds for a petty lawsuit over me not fulfilling their ask. No thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, you should have cooperated in transitioning your work before leaving. That was unprofessional. That being said now that you don’t work there, totally inappropriate for them to contact you like that.

NP. So, you shouldn't assume someone didn't so something unless you have clarified what actually happened.

[Anonymous]

I agree that I would respond once and give a few minutes out of politeness and a desire not to burn bridges. No more than that.

[Anonymous]

Is the person that replaced you brand new to the workforce? I would never ever contact someone that I didn’t know personally who left the company asking for a favor. Damn.

You can ignore. You are in no way obligated to donate your time to the company.

[Anonymous]

Just be slow and vague enough that its not worth their effort.

[Anonymous]

If you need your former boss to be a future reference, don’t block. I was paid for any hours I helped my replacement after I left and agreed to do so for a limited amount for time.

[Anonymous]

respond back with: my rate is $1,000 per hour and has a 40 hour minimum to start. Let me know if this get approved and I would be happy to answer your questions at that time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

I would just answer the person's questions, unless it was a direct conflict of interest. Everyone here is being dramatic.

[Anonymous]

Nope.

If you want, you can charge them $200/hour to be paid in advance.

[Anonymous]

I would tell them to email me, not call me. And then I would take just long enough to respond that it’s not worth it to them. For example, I would get back to them within 24 hours, not within an hour or so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, you should have cooperated in transitioning your work before leaving. That was unprofessional. That being said now that you don’t work there, totally inappropriate for them to contact you like that.

NP. So, you shouldn't assume someone didn't so something unless you have clarified what actually happened.

The op did, in a post above. They say the new person tried to meet with them before they left but they didn’t accept.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, you should have cooperated in transitioning your work before leaving. That was unprofessional. That being said now that you don’t work there, totally inappropriate for them to contact you like that.

NP. So, you shouldn't assume someone didn't so something unless you have clarified what actually happened.

The op did, in a post above. They say the new person tried to meet with them before they left but they didn’t accept.

NP. You misunderstood. OP said the boss directed that OP contact OP's predecessor, and OP found a way to get around that. OP has not stated that OP avoided helping successor while still working for employer.