The correct answer is “no, thank you.” You can omit the “you @ssholes” ending.

Never. If you choose to respond at all, I'd tell them you're not in a position to provide your services without compensation, but that you'd be willing to contract for the desired work at your hourly rate of X. They can take it or leave it. If they leave it, you're no worse off than you were before. If they take it, you'll be better off in two ways - you'll have income from the activity, and you'll begin to build a credible resume as a individual contractor in your field.

It’s bad. If you want to be nice, offer to discuss a contractor arrangement. Otherwise ignore.

Anonymous wrote:You have every right to be pissed. Having said that, I MIGHT be willing to give an hour or two at no charge if the people you are directly helping could assist you in getting your next position. Or returning to the company. Or introducing you to a key player in the industry. But after that, you should absolutely charge them.

That's a good point, but, tell them that you'll give then an hour max, and then after that, you will charge them.

Anonymous wrote:It's a 10. Tell them you have set up an LLC and they could easily contract with you to do the work.

+1 WTF I can't believe the nerve. It may not be their fault you got laid off, but do they really think you don't need money? That you have no expenses? Wow.

Anonymous wrote:31 U.S. Code § 1342 prohibits the US government from accepting voluntary services. So if you decide to work pro bono for your old employer, it doesn't mean that they'll be providing your work product to the USG for free...

Some agencies have authority to accept voluntary services - VA is one and does so in their hospitals.

I would tell them to gtfo here.

Anonymous wrote:31 U.S. Code § 1342 prohibits the US government from accepting voluntary services. So if you decide to work pro bono for your old employer, it doesn't mean that they'll be providing your work product to the USG for free...

Sounds like an non profit that provides services to victims of DV that is funded by govt grants so OP wouldnt be providing services to the govt.

31 U.S. Code § 1342 prohibits the US government from accepting voluntary services. So if you decide to work pro bono for your old employer, it doesn't mean that they'll be providing your work product to the USG for free...

Even if you decide to do it for free, you should establish an hourly rate and some boundaries around your commitment. There might be tax benefits (no idea, just a thought), but at least it gives you some boundaries to enforce.

Omg. This was super inappropriate of them to ask. Holy cow.

If they needed like one hour of help to tie up lose ends, I would consider that more reasonable but still kind of icky.

Tell them you will give them your "nonprofit org" rate.

Considering why you were laid off, it's not as terrible as some have made it out to be. If they had laid you off and then asked for you to volunteer that would be different, but we know why they laid you off -- because of DOGE and Trump. So we're all in this together attitude makes sense.

Do you want to go back once Trump is kicked to the curb? Maybe tell them your job search is your full time job now and you would be happy to come in an hour or two per month.

No, they can pay you.

It is unprofessional and unethical of them to ask and I would tell them so. Sounds like they are not fit to run a lemonade stand much less an organization entrusted with taxpayer dollars. Glad they lost their funding. I would run far from them.