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Would you still provide assistance to you last boss after you quit (6 mos)

S

steppinthrax

Diamond Member
So anyway I used to work for this hosptial. I was pretty good and they couldn't pay pretty good. So I left and got better pay (IT). Anyway the people they hire don't know anything and are generally contractors etc. I kind of ran the show in my group. As a result they can't hire anyone to fill my large shoes and a lot of the work I did the general staff liked and are pushing to have done again.

So anyway this is the 3rd or so email my boss sent me asking me about something I used to do and he wants to know how I did it. He dosen't even have a clue on where to began. So I'm thinking here, from knowing the situation my bosse's boss is asking can we do this and my boss shoots me an email (covertly) and all of a sudden he does it without my help (as the way it looks).

A. Should I still provide him assistance (email form) without pay. To keep the work relationship in-case-of reference.

B. Ask for a price to do the above work.

C. Don't offer help

Which is the best option. I've been doing A the whole time.....
 
If it's something simple that perhaps only you would know, like a password to an obscure system or "where is that file?" help them.

If it's a daily problem that they -should- be able to resolve themselves, bill them.

Doing it once, maybe twice is being courteous. Doing it more than that is a service rendered.
 
Originally posted by: Phoenix86
If it's something simple that perhaps only you would know, like a password to an obscure system or "where is that file?" help them.

If it's a daily problem that they -should- be able to resolve themselves, bill them.

Doing it once, maybe twice is being courteous. Doing it more than that is a service rendered.
Click to expand...

QFT

You don't want to burn that bridge. Even if you'd never work there again, the boss could go somewhere else. Or, you could need the boss as a reference.

 
If you start helping him he sounds like the type that will always come back to you for help.

I would help, but stress that he needs to find someone to take care of it. I work in IT, and anytime I've left a place they've always called/emailed a few times for a few months until they get squared away.
 
Yeah, do it this one more time, and send a bill. That will get the point across. They may pay it, they may not, but don't do anything more for them until you get payment.
 
Originally posted by: Phoenix86
If it's something simple that perhaps only you would know, like a password to an obscure system or "where is that file?" help them.

If it's a daily problem that they -should- be able to resolve themselves, bill them.

Doing it once, maybe twice is being courteous. Doing it more than that is a service rendered.
Click to expand...

I agree with this. I'm sure once you ask for $$$, you won't hear from him anymore.


 
Originally posted by: Phoenix86
If it's something simple that perhaps only you would know, like a password to an obscure system or "where is that file?" help them.

If it's a daily problem that they -should- be able to resolve themselves, bill them.

Doing it once, maybe twice is being courteous. Doing it more than that is a service rendered.
Click to expand...

Sounds about right. Professional. If it becomes chronic, just say something about how busy you are at your new job.
 
If previous employers are calling and looking for more than a password, I think either you didn't do your job completely, or your prior boss can't read. I am a huge documentation stickler, and if the documentation you left behind wasn't complete enough for them to accomplish things you've already done, you failed them. So many IT people I have worked with in the past 'just make it work' without explanations of why/how. Perhaps it gives these people a sense of job safety or lets them hide that 'secret' knowledge away so people can tell them how clever they are.

I'm not saying you're in that situation necessarily, but I see it all too often. Document. Document. Document.

I wouldn't be repeatedly fulfilling his requests (obviously within reason), or you'll never rid yourself of the place.
 
Originally posted by: steppinthrax
So anyway I used to work for this hosptial. I was pretty good and they couldn't pay pretty good. So I left and got better pay (IT). Anyway the people they hire don't know anything and are generally contractors etc. I kind of ran the show in my group. As a result they can't hire anyone to fill my large shoes and a lot of the work I did the general staff liked and are pushing to have done again.

So anyway this is the 3rd or so email my boss sent me asking me about something I used to do and he wants to know how I did it. He dosen't even have a clue on where to began. So I'm thinking here, from knowing the situation my bosse's boss is asking can we do this and my boss shoots me an email (covertly) and all of a sudden he does it without my help (as the way it looks).

A. Should I still provide him assistance (email form) without pay. To keep the work relationship in-case-of reference.

B. Ask for a price to do the above work.

C. Don't offer help

Which is the best option. I've been doing A the whole time.....
Click to expand...

I'd do it if it's something easy, just to keep the bridges and good relationship. That being said, if what he email you amounts to you de facto continuing to work there, I would offer consulting services for $$.


edit:
Actually better yet, email back the answers and along with the pitch (aka "if you're interested in having me help you guys along, we can set up some kind of external consultant contract"). That way you'll signal you're not inclined to help anymore w/o compensation. So your boss will either propose some sorts of compensation agreement or he'll know not to email anymore.
 
Originally posted by: tefleming
Originally posted by: Phoenix86
If it's something simple that perhaps only you would know, like a password to an obscure system or "where is that file?" help them.

If it's a daily problem that they -should- be able to resolve themselves, bill them.

Doing it once, maybe twice is being courteous. Doing it more than that is a service rendered.
Click to expand...

QFT

You don't want to burn that bridge. Even if you'd never work there again, the boss could go somewhere else. Or, you could need the boss as a reference.
Click to expand...

i agree.

if its a password or such. give it to them (they should have a list given to them by you already).

anything else bill them. NO managment should be upset and if they do its not the type you really want to work for anyway.

 
B is the best, but C is also very reasonable.

After you leave, you have no obligation to help, especially since you aren't on their payroll anymore.

Best idea is to try to become a 'casual' employee, and actually come in to train the new people once a month or something. You get money, you still help, you still keep a good relationship, and you might get to see your old co-workers again.
 
Originally posted by: aircooled
$$'s or nothing. You don't work there anymore.
Click to expand...

this. i left a screen print shop at the request of the owner, the manager tried to get me to retrain him on stuff i had already trained him on before i was let go. i offered to come in as a consultant. they lost the contract tho, they didnt like my rates.
 
Depends if it is like a 10 minute email, I don't see a problem. But if you have to do actual work, more than just typing, I would tell him you're busy. He should get the hint and either offer $ or stop asking you.
 
Originally posted by: Patt
If previous employers are calling and looking for more than a password, I think either you didn't do your job completely, or your prior boss can't read. I am a huge documentation stickler, and if the documentation you left behind wasn't complete enough for them to accomplish things you've already done, you failed them. So many IT people I have worked with in the past 'just make it work' without explanations of why/how. Perhaps it gives these people a sense of job safety or lets them hide that 'secret' knowledge away so people can tell them how clever they are.

I'm not saying you're in that situation necessarily, but I see it all too often. Document. Document. Document.

I wouldn't be repeatedly fulfilling his requests (obviously within reason), or you'll never rid yourself of the place.
Click to expand...

I'm a big documenter as well. But in my experience, nobody looks at anything anyway. If you DID leave them everything that they need to do the job, and they're too lazy to look at it, well then tell them you'll help, but charge double!
 
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