I am leaving my job and moving to a new city. I'm pretty sure that my boss will ask me to leave my new contact information so that the person taking over my position can call or email me whenever questions come up. I don't want to leave my job on bad terms, or burn any bridges, but I don't think that it is fair that I should have to make myself available to my previous employer like this, as I would probably end up having to spend a decent amount of time on the phone and answering emails. Is there any polite way to communicate to them that I would really prefer to be contacted only in connection with something very important, or preferably, not at all? (The city that I am moving to is located in a time zone that is 6 hours later than where I am currently located, so this could mean receiving frequent phone calls, until fairly late into the evening...) I wouldn't mind helping out, but I don't want to be taken advantage of. Would it be unreasonable if I asked to be paid for my time?
2007-06-05 05:27:08 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
You raise some valid points. If you want a good reccomendation you are going to have to play ball. I would come up with some times when you can be contacted. Say between 4 and 5 your time or what ever. Also, you could think about wrting down answers to some questions that you think you will be contacted about. Let them know that you don't want to be contacted unless it is important.
In the future, stick to your guns. If you are contacted other than your appointed time, don't respond. Wait until the correct time. Then respond.
If this gets out of line in the future, definately ask for compensation.
2007-06-05 05:38:56 · answer #1 · answered by Think.for.your.self 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Burning your bridges or letting someone take advange? The good news is that you don't have a problem. Therefore don't burn your bridges now based solely on the POSSIBILITY that things may get out of hand.
Right now you could avoid giving the wrong impression by doing the following: Be corteous and stop any urge to offer what you're not being asked for. Don't offer to give them your phone number (say you don't have one yet- don't give it to colleagues). Also, if your boss asks for your new contact information you could say that you've already given it to HR (only provide HR with your home address nothing else).
If your boss asks you to make yourself available for the new hire, leave him your email address, but warn him that it may take you some time to answer as you still don't have internet available at home, but that you are willing to answer any questions as soon as YOU can.
After you move, in the event that you are contacted for questions, don't answer immediately, so the new hire knows you're busy with your new life and their needs is not your priority (this way your time will be significantly reduced for them). In the event that they are asking you more than what you want to answer, simply only answer those questions you want. You are not obliged to do anything you don't want to do.
Deal with the problem when it presents itself. So far there's no problem so enjoy your new journey in life.
I am sure that things will not get out of hand because you'll keep them under control.
2007-06-05 06:43:12 · answer #2 · answered by MG 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
simply tell them that you've found another job and wish to pursue a career opportunity. Even if you don't have anything lined up a bland, neutral answer is much more professional than "my boss is a bigoted witch." People network. Leave on the most NEUTRAL terms possible. Your current boss might just know your future boss, so leave ANY personal reasons out of the "why are you leaving your position" or "why did you leave your last position" in future interviews. Good luck!
2016-05-17 08:51:52 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't give them your phone number. Explain to your boss that with the time difference, phone contact would not make much sense. Ask if it can be arranged for you to keep your current work e-mail for 3 months after you leave, and the new person can contact you there. Tell your boss that you will agree to check that account at least once a week for that period of time. Let him know that you want to be helpful, but with the demands of moving so far away, and starting a new job, you wont have too much time to devote to assisting the new person.
2007-06-05 05:38:39 · answer #4 · answered by wendy08010 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't give them your number. They are obviously wanting to take advantage of you. Especially since the nature of phone calls is obtrusive. I'd suggest a temporary email account be the only contact you allow them to have. That way, it doesn't matter what time they contact you, you read the email at your leisure. Also, tell your boss it's okay to contact you, though you expect to be paid fairly for your time.
Also, you're basing your entire question on a scenario that hasn't happened yet. While I can't say what's going to happen for sure, I've never heard of an ex-employee being contacted for helping the current workforce.
2007-06-05 05:33:10 · answer #5 · answered by Thegustaffa 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Create a new email account to give to them. Then only check the account once a week. If they have emailed you, respond with "I'm sorry I haven't replied, do you still need this information"? Send only that, then check it again a week later. They will have probably resolved the problem by then. If they haven't, answer their question as briefly as possible (leaving enough holes that they still won't know what to do). Be sure to add that you will be billing them for your consulting fees. Again, wait one week to check the account. The emails should stop.
2007-06-05 05:44:58 · answer #6 · answered by J M 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Should your boss ask for a contact, just give him an email address. Should he ask for a telephone number, tell him that you have not got any and that email would be the best form of contact.
2007-06-06 05:38:10 · answer #7 · answered by SG GAL 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless you are being paid as an "on call" consultant for this company, they should never call you for help with anything.
You need to be firm with your current supervisor and let them know in no uncertain terms, that you no longer work for them and will not be accepting calls of this nature.
My wife fell into this trap and was too nice about it when she got laid off from a company. We used to get 5 or 6 calls a day from her company, asking for her to basically train the girl that they replaced her with at a huge pay reduction. I finally stopped by the office and explained to the human resources manager, that if they continued to call out house with questions, we'd start billing them at the current on-call rate and reminded them that they laid her off, she didn't quit. The calls stopped and my wife ended up getting a check for the approximate amount of time that she spent helping them, and an apology letter from one of the partners at the firm.
I wasn't a jerk about it or anything, just firm and stood my ground. Bad thing too, it was a great company to work for, except for one of the worthless partners who everyone was afraid to stand up to.
2007-06-05 05:41:32 · answer #8 · answered by lscrisp 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would tell your boss that you want to set up a reasonable time period to help out for example the first two weeks maximum but after that you need to focus on your new job. Your boss would be selfish not to say yes to your generosity and really has no right to tell you otherwise.
2007-06-05 05:40:02 · answer #9 · answered by Sunta 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless they are giving you a REALLY REALLY GREAT "farewell" package, don't give them any contact information. Your boss is supposed to know enough about your job to help with any "questions".
Tell him, "I'm sorry but I am leaving this job and prefer not to continue working as a volunteer, free of charge."
2007-06-05 05:42:44 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋