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What can we do to stop prior company from asking us questions?



The Next CEO of Stack OverflowHow to get my old company to stop asking for helpLearning from CEO wreckage: what can I learn from this experience of failure?Is it appropriate to show Prior Offer Statements and Benefits from other companies to push for extra vacation time?What are the possible downsides of answering an “anonymous” employee survey truthfully?Should I demand payment of a promised, documented bonus revoked after giving my 2 weeks notice?What should I do if I received a mail from company about offer letter by post but a week passed out I haven't received yet?Placed on work schedule despite approved time-off request. Is it unreasonable to push back on this?I feel like my romantic feelings for my boss are getting in the way of my work. What other options do i have apart from quitting?Given an ultimatum, threatened with dismissalWhat can I do when my boss is driving the project I am working on to failure?What can I do if I suspect an “employer” is trying to obtain free development work from applicants?










75















Short and sweet of it, I used to work as a manager/supervisor at a prior company that had us build various applications for them. I was there close to twenty years! In any event last year the company started struggling and things took a dive (upper management bickering, stock holders upset with the company, vision of company was no longer valid, competitors eating us alive, etc). One of my senior software engineers left prior to my departure and I eventually left as well.



I was able to quickly find a new home and a great place to work. Initially the old place kept asking me questions (I had to keep my phone number due to personal reasons) that were work related. It got to the point where each day they were asking 1-2 questions even after I left the company for three months. I got tired of it and finally told them I could no longer assist because I had my own priorities.



A few weeks back I actually hired another engineer that also worked at that prior company we both worked at. He too was tired of all the bickering, politics, and fallout from the board of directors and the ceo's. In any event, I hired him and he too is now getting contacted with more of their questions.



Is there anything I can do to simply tell them to bug off? We have our own priorities and it is their problem now not ours!









share

















  • 10





    Do they call from the same phone number (like a business number) or are the individual engineers calling? Modern mobiles allow you to block numbers, and is far easier than changing your own number.

    – Tas
    23 hours ago






  • 5





    @dwizum That's a great answer! Please use the appropriate feature for that.

    – Lightness Races in Orbit
    21 hours ago






  • 11





    Have you been caving and giving them free consulting work for the past three months, or have they just been unusually persistent in continuing to call you even though you keep telling them to stop and don't help them? Because if you don't feed the zombies when they come scratching, you'll find they quickly stop coming around. Stop enabling and the problem goes away.

    – J...
    9 hours ago







  • 2





    Possible duplicate of How to get my old company to stop asking for help

    – David K
    8 hours ago











  • Why do you care if this bridge is burnt? It sounds like the company won't be around much longer to retaliate.

    – zero298
    5 mins ago















75















Short and sweet of it, I used to work as a manager/supervisor at a prior company that had us build various applications for them. I was there close to twenty years! In any event last year the company started struggling and things took a dive (upper management bickering, stock holders upset with the company, vision of company was no longer valid, competitors eating us alive, etc). One of my senior software engineers left prior to my departure and I eventually left as well.



I was able to quickly find a new home and a great place to work. Initially the old place kept asking me questions (I had to keep my phone number due to personal reasons) that were work related. It got to the point where each day they were asking 1-2 questions even after I left the company for three months. I got tired of it and finally told them I could no longer assist because I had my own priorities.



A few weeks back I actually hired another engineer that also worked at that prior company we both worked at. He too was tired of all the bickering, politics, and fallout from the board of directors and the ceo's. In any event, I hired him and he too is now getting contacted with more of their questions.



Is there anything I can do to simply tell them to bug off? We have our own priorities and it is their problem now not ours!









share

















  • 10





    Do they call from the same phone number (like a business number) or are the individual engineers calling? Modern mobiles allow you to block numbers, and is far easier than changing your own number.

    – Tas
    23 hours ago






  • 5





    @dwizum That's a great answer! Please use the appropriate feature for that.

    – Lightness Races in Orbit
    21 hours ago






  • 11





    Have you been caving and giving them free consulting work for the past three months, or have they just been unusually persistent in continuing to call you even though you keep telling them to stop and don't help them? Because if you don't feed the zombies when they come scratching, you'll find they quickly stop coming around. Stop enabling and the problem goes away.

    – J...
    9 hours ago







  • 2





    Possible duplicate of How to get my old company to stop asking for help

    – David K
    8 hours ago











  • Why do you care if this bridge is burnt? It sounds like the company won't be around much longer to retaliate.

    – zero298
    5 mins ago













75












75








75


5






Short and sweet of it, I used to work as a manager/supervisor at a prior company that had us build various applications for them. I was there close to twenty years! In any event last year the company started struggling and things took a dive (upper management bickering, stock holders upset with the company, vision of company was no longer valid, competitors eating us alive, etc). One of my senior software engineers left prior to my departure and I eventually left as well.



I was able to quickly find a new home and a great place to work. Initially the old place kept asking me questions (I had to keep my phone number due to personal reasons) that were work related. It got to the point where each day they were asking 1-2 questions even after I left the company for three months. I got tired of it and finally told them I could no longer assist because I had my own priorities.



A few weeks back I actually hired another engineer that also worked at that prior company we both worked at. He too was tired of all the bickering, politics, and fallout from the board of directors and the ceo's. In any event, I hired him and he too is now getting contacted with more of their questions.



Is there anything I can do to simply tell them to bug off? We have our own priorities and it is their problem now not ours!









share














Short and sweet of it, I used to work as a manager/supervisor at a prior company that had us build various applications for them. I was there close to twenty years! In any event last year the company started struggling and things took a dive (upper management bickering, stock holders upset with the company, vision of company was no longer valid, competitors eating us alive, etc). One of my senior software engineers left prior to my departure and I eventually left as well.



I was able to quickly find a new home and a great place to work. Initially the old place kept asking me questions (I had to keep my phone number due to personal reasons) that were work related. It got to the point where each day they were asking 1-2 questions even after I left the company for three months. I got tired of it and finally told them I could no longer assist because I had my own priorities.



A few weeks back I actually hired another engineer that also worked at that prior company we both worked at. He too was tired of all the bickering, politics, and fallout from the board of directors and the ceo's. In any event, I hired him and he too is now getting contacted with more of their questions.



Is there anything I can do to simply tell them to bug off? We have our own priorities and it is their problem now not ours!







employer-relations





share












share










share



share










asked yesterday









JonHJonH

1,27531120




1,27531120







  • 10





    Do they call from the same phone number (like a business number) or are the individual engineers calling? Modern mobiles allow you to block numbers, and is far easier than changing your own number.

    – Tas
    23 hours ago






  • 5





    @dwizum That's a great answer! Please use the appropriate feature for that.

    – Lightness Races in Orbit
    21 hours ago






  • 11





    Have you been caving and giving them free consulting work for the past three months, or have they just been unusually persistent in continuing to call you even though you keep telling them to stop and don't help them? Because if you don't feed the zombies when they come scratching, you'll find they quickly stop coming around. Stop enabling and the problem goes away.

    – J...
    9 hours ago







  • 2





    Possible duplicate of How to get my old company to stop asking for help

    – David K
    8 hours ago











  • Why do you care if this bridge is burnt? It sounds like the company won't be around much longer to retaliate.

    – zero298
    5 mins ago












  • 10





    Do they call from the same phone number (like a business number) or are the individual engineers calling? Modern mobiles allow you to block numbers, and is far easier than changing your own number.

    – Tas
    23 hours ago






  • 5





    @dwizum That's a great answer! Please use the appropriate feature for that.

    – Lightness Races in Orbit
    21 hours ago






  • 11





    Have you been caving and giving them free consulting work for the past three months, or have they just been unusually persistent in continuing to call you even though you keep telling them to stop and don't help them? Because if you don't feed the zombies when they come scratching, you'll find they quickly stop coming around. Stop enabling and the problem goes away.

    – J...
    9 hours ago







  • 2





    Possible duplicate of How to get my old company to stop asking for help

    – David K
    8 hours ago











  • Why do you care if this bridge is burnt? It sounds like the company won't be around much longer to retaliate.

    – zero298
    5 mins ago







10




10





Do they call from the same phone number (like a business number) or are the individual engineers calling? Modern mobiles allow you to block numbers, and is far easier than changing your own number.

– Tas
23 hours ago





Do they call from the same phone number (like a business number) or are the individual engineers calling? Modern mobiles allow you to block numbers, and is far easier than changing your own number.

– Tas
23 hours ago




5




5





@dwizum That's a great answer! Please use the appropriate feature for that.

– Lightness Races in Orbit
21 hours ago





@dwizum That's a great answer! Please use the appropriate feature for that.

– Lightness Races in Orbit
21 hours ago




11




11





Have you been caving and giving them free consulting work for the past three months, or have they just been unusually persistent in continuing to call you even though you keep telling them to stop and don't help them? Because if you don't feed the zombies when they come scratching, you'll find they quickly stop coming around. Stop enabling and the problem goes away.

– J...
9 hours ago






Have you been caving and giving them free consulting work for the past three months, or have they just been unusually persistent in continuing to call you even though you keep telling them to stop and don't help them? Because if you don't feed the zombies when they come scratching, you'll find they quickly stop coming around. Stop enabling and the problem goes away.

– J...
9 hours ago





2




2





Possible duplicate of How to get my old company to stop asking for help

– David K
8 hours ago





Possible duplicate of How to get my old company to stop asking for help

– David K
8 hours ago













Why do you care if this bridge is burnt? It sounds like the company won't be around much longer to retaliate.

– zero298
5 mins ago





Why do you care if this bridge is burnt? It sounds like the company won't be around much longer to retaliate.

– zero298
5 mins ago










11 Answers
11






active

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188















Is there anything I can do to simply tell them to bug off?




Just stop answering their questions.



Nothing says "bug off" quite like not giving answers to repeated questions.



You've trained them to continue to rely on you for help. This is your fault. Time to un-train them.



You don't need to answer the phone if they call. If you do answer, just brush it off with something like "Sorry, I'm too busy to help." Either way, once the answers dry up, they'll stop calling.






share|improve this answer




















  • 2





    This would work, although I'm thinking telling them that we won't reply to their further calls before doing so, would work better than giving them the cold silence.

    – Clockwork
    13 hours ago






  • 4





    @Clockwork, OP already put " I got tired of it and finally told them I could no longer assist because I had my own priorities"

    – Steve Smith
    13 hours ago






  • 15





    I disagree - the former company is the one that is refusing to act in a dignified manner. What they are doing is not professional in any way. They had the opportunity to retain OP's expertise and, for whatever reason, they failed to do so. OP has gone above and beyond in helping them transition up to this point, they are now not respecting OP's request not to be involved further. The most professional response from OP is to now walk away from the situation.

    – delinear
    10 hours ago






  • 2





    @R.Schmitz "You should ask this question to someone you pay for his time!" hang up

    – Josef
    10 hours ago






  • 4





    "I don't know" possibly combined with "I can't remember those details anymore" might convince them that the well is actually dry, also.

    – Todd Wilcox
    6 hours ago


















206














The most effective way is to tell them you charge X per hour for answering questions, and they need to give you an address where to send invoices.



Having to explain your bill will stop most people from asking questions.






share|improve this answer























  • Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.

    – Snow
    8 hours ago






  • 2





    This sounds like a fun thing to do, but is actually going to get you involved in more discussion. Just saying no is the straightforward way.

    – DJClayworth
    4 hours ago











  • I'd add that the "X per hour" should be fairly outrageous, or you might actually get pulled in to help. If they still want your help, increase the rate stating that every time they ask for your help, your rate increases. You don't even have to tell them this is an incentive to bug off. And if they complain that it's extortion, you tell them it's their choice for continuing to ask for help. You might also want to put a time limit on each time you help, too. This is to help cover the loophole of asking for 1000 hours on their 3rd call to prevent future rate hikes.

    – computercarguy
    2 hours ago






  • 1





    X should be the rate at which OP is happy to participate. Pretty simple. If there is no number at which that's true, then sure: "No" is a better answer. But there's always a number.

    – Alex M
    2 hours ago


















55














Your options are (multiple choice):



  • Tell them to stop calling


  • Ignore the calls


  • Block their numbers


  • Offer to consult for an exorbitant rate


  • Inform them you're going to request a no-contact order, if they find
    ways to go around your blocks or continue after you tell them to stop
    calling


  • Actually request a no-contact order






share|improve this answer








New contributor




Havegooda is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.















  • 34





    Personally I'd put "exorbitant rate" as number one. That establishes your position and tends to shut people down when you are asking 4x the going rate (and as a day rate - none of this by the question/hour stuff)

    – Peter M
    yesterday






  • 5





    @PeterM - The reason I didn't do that initially was because OP asked how to get them to stop. Offering to consult leaves the door open a crack. I only included it because I thought the same as you and hey...who doesn't like money?

    – Havegooda
    yesterday






  • 4





    Depending where you are (or, more precisely, on your employment contract - but what is common in an employment contract varies by region and industry), consulting may not be legal.

    – Martin Bonner
    yesterday






  • 6





    If you really don't want to be involved with them, be careful with the exorbitant rate option. Sometimes it's easy to think that the money would be worth it, then they accept your high rate and cause you stress and it's not worth it after all. Still, it's definitely an option worth considering in some cases.

    – rooby
    yesterday






  • 3





    Don't forget to ask for payment up front, if you're going for the "exorbitant rate" strategy. It might even be wise to ask for a "minimum commitment" of 5 days so you don't have the overhead of billing for just one day. And while you're at it, back-charge for the previous questions.

    – MSalters
    11 hours ago


















20














I've been on the other end of this, taking over for someone who left after building or implementing most of the systems I still use to this day.



For the first few weeks, I was emailing or messaging him constantly. HE did a good job of NOT getting back to me instantly. He was NOT on-call. It gave me time to flail and learn and try to become self-sufficient, and I did slowly wean myself from his support. He also used the exorbitant consultant rate for actual projects we threw his way, until I had enough experience and knowledge built up that we no longer needed him for even that much.



So, having been on the other side of the coin, I can say this: unless you left very clear instructions and processes and manuals, and basically made your leaving seamless, it's not necessarily fair to assume that they aren't genuinely struggling without you. Even so, that in no way leaves you in the position of needing to prioritize their requests, especially if they're not paying you to do so.



Obviously, situations vary, and your mileage may vary. If their requests are overly burdensome or aggressive, then just not answering (or maybe waiting a week/month and finally responding with "did you guys ever figure this out?" (but ONLY if you actually want to take it on, since they very likely did NOT figure this out! LOL!), just to keep the lines open just in case.)






share|improve this answer








New contributor




Dustin Kreidler is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.















  • 14





    I think the key words there are "exorbitant consultant rate." Nobody should be getting free over-the-phone support once you've left.

    – Matthew Barber
    yesterday






  • 5





    "it's not necessarily fair to assume that they aren't genuinely struggling without you. Even so, that in no way leaves you in the position of needing to prioritize their requests, especially if they're not paying you to do so" - or even answer the requests. Them struggling does not equal OP does free work.

    – Robert Grant
    yesterday






  • 8





    I completely understand that it can be a struggle for those left behind. Fortunately you seem to have come to understand that this is not to be made, in any way, the problem of those who left you behind. This has nothing to do with whether the requests are burdensome or not. It's simply inappropriate. Nobody who is not paid by that company for work that benefits that company should ever be expected to contribute to that company on their own time. It's literally as simple as that.

    – Lightness Races in Orbit
    21 hours ago







  • 9





    It's not OP's fault if someone is struggling due to lack of documentation. Unless it was OP's job to take care of documentation someone should have thought "what are we gonna do when X leaves, considering we have no documentation whatsoever?". OP sohuldn't have to pay for someone else's lack of interest in documentation.

    – GustavoMP
    14 hours ago






  • 3





    @GustavoMP: In the case of at least one of my former jobs, I would have to remind them that I wasn’t the one that decided documentation should not be worked on.

    – WGroleau
    7 hours ago


















11














What I haven't seen anyone address is that you say while YOU have stopped taking the calls they're contacting your subordinate. He needs to show tough love with them and tell them to stop calling. You need to make it clear to him that your expectation is that he not work for other companies while on the clock with you -- strongly encourage him to get tough.






share|improve this answer






























    8














    Your coworker needs to bill the company for his continued assistance.



    He may not want a side business... But he's already got one, as long as he keeps answering the phone.



    He needs to select a consultancy rate which is not inappropriate for the skills and marketplace, e.g. $200/hr



    When he gets a call he needs to document who he's talking to, what the problem is, collect the question(s) from the person if brief, otherwise ask them to send an email elucidating all their questions. Don't answer anything and be quick, especially if it's on your company's time.



    After he has gone home from the office and is on his own time, he should take on the questions seriously. Perhaps follow up with the person. Then he should "formally write-up" the answer in a sensible, presentable format, and email it to the person.



    Then, he looks at the total time spent on it, round up to the nearest increment of time that is not unreasonable, and send a bill to the company for consulting services net 10.*



    It is important this not consist of any "new work" but be confined to wrap-up and exit documentation, akin to an exit interview. He cannot be working for two companies in the same field at once. In fact if this goes very far at all, he needs to have a conversation with your current company's HR to resolve any conflict of interest, which there shouldn't be because it should be confined to discussion of work he already did.



    If it just gets him paid, awesome.



    It may also cause a little excitement, in which case, the next time they call, he says




    "Well, I'd love to help you, but the company seems reluctant to pay. Could you provide a PO number ** for this consultation?"




    Once he's past the 10 days (or whatever) of the first bill, when they call he immediately steers the conversation to the fact that their payment is late, and he needs to absolutely refuse to give any further help until it's paid. With luck, they'll be so in need of his assistance that they'll expedite payment, in which case, he has a nice little side business.



    If they pay... Well, that backfired. He can just keep jacking his rates (with notice of course) until he's soured the milk and weaned them off his aid. In the meantime, free money for what he's already doing...




    * "Net 10 days" is a billing term, it means the bill should be paid pretty much as fast as checks can fly in the mail. It is customary in business. Don't use a longer billing term, or they could troll you for that long and collect free support in the meantime, just by being ambiguous about paying you. Other terms are "net 30" or "cash", the latter means you do not trust them to pay, and need to hear some credit card numbers right now.



    ** "PO number" expands to "Purchase Order number" which means you are asking them to create a Purchase Order for the goods or services. If he gives you a PO #, that's a verbal commitment that the company desires to buy this and will pay. Presumably he will be unable to do this.






    share|improve this answer

























    • This is a great answer, assuming OP (or his friend) are interested in setting up a side business helping their prior company. As a tactic to make them stop calling (the stated goal in the question) it may not work so well, though. I've heard stories from friends in tech about companies they literally don't want to work with anymore, so they just keep jacking up the price to unreasonable levels, but these companies continue to pay! Again, great answer if OP is interested in the money, but it could very easily work "too well."

      – Steve-O
      9 hours ago











    • @Steve-O great point, edited. This could work too well.

      – Harper
      8 hours ago











    • @Steve-O when you get to $500,000 per hour, they’ll either stop or you can retire.

      – Wildcard
      4 hours ago


















    6














    Consider what your time is worth to you if you would work as a consultant for them.



    For most people, it's a matter of price - if the pay you for example 3000 $ a day for answering questions, you probably wouldn't mind too much (and that's not ludicrous- we pay that for some consultants). Find your sweet spot, add a bit, and seriously offer them to get in a contractual relationship as 'consultant'.

    This could end with you having a well paying job, or with them stopping to bother you - both should be solutions you'd be happy with.






    share|improve this answer






























      3














      Most of the times, nothing beats the simplicity.



      Refuse to help, just tell them you're busy. Say,




      I'd like you to help, but I got work to do. (Yes, your work, which gets you paid).




      If this calls keep coming, stop taking calls.



      At some point of time, you have to learn to say "no". The sooner, the better.






      share|improve this answer




















      • 7





        It would be more effective to say outright "No, I can't help". Firstly, it's actually saying the word "no", which (as you say) is needed. Secondly, giving reasons why the OP can't help encourages his former employer to try and find solutions to those reasons, e.g. offering to pay, which is not the desired outcome. Just say "no", nothing more.

        – BittermanAndy
        yesterday


















      2














      The other answers talk about different ways to essentially either tell them "no" or to threaten them directly either with billing or no-contact orders.



      I think the simplest way is to just stop answering their questions. By answering their questions in the past you've essentially implied to them that its okay to bug you with questions because you've been helping them out for all this time.



      Stop responding to their calls/texts/messages/whatever. If you ignore them and the volume of contact increases or does not go away- then it turns into harassment and you will have to consider either blocking them or taking further actions to prevent them from bothering you during work.






      share|improve this answer






























        1














        Literally stop answering the phone to them.



        That's it.






        share|improve this answer


















        • 6





          This is a valid approach, although it is already suggested in other answers... mind enhancing yours?

          – DarkCygnus
          21 hours ago






        • 2





          @DarkCygnus Its brevity is the point. My intention is to show how abundantly simple this is!

          – Lightness Races in Orbit
          11 hours ago











        • @LightnessRacesinOrbit the accepted answer is the same thing with explanation.

          – Captain Man
          2 hours ago











        • @CaptainMan I'm aware of that. But the explanation is not necessary. This is somewhat tongue in cheek of course.

          – Lightness Races in Orbit
          2 hours ago



















        1














        I'd contact the former boss/manager and explain that you're no longer working for that company and you wouldn't like to be called to help.

        If you receive any more calls after that, send them an invoice of your consulting services.






        share|improve this answer























          protected by Mister Positive 11 hours ago



          Thank you for your interest in this question.
          Because it has attracted low-quality or spam answers that had to be removed, posting an answer now requires 10 reputation on this site (the association bonus does not count).



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          11 Answers
          11






          active

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          11 Answers
          11






          active

          oldest

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          active

          oldest

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          active

          oldest

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          188















          Is there anything I can do to simply tell them to bug off?




          Just stop answering their questions.



          Nothing says "bug off" quite like not giving answers to repeated questions.



          You've trained them to continue to rely on you for help. This is your fault. Time to un-train them.



          You don't need to answer the phone if they call. If you do answer, just brush it off with something like "Sorry, I'm too busy to help." Either way, once the answers dry up, they'll stop calling.






          share|improve this answer




















          • 2





            This would work, although I'm thinking telling them that we won't reply to their further calls before doing so, would work better than giving them the cold silence.

            – Clockwork
            13 hours ago






          • 4





            @Clockwork, OP already put " I got tired of it and finally told them I could no longer assist because I had my own priorities"

            – Steve Smith
            13 hours ago






          • 15





            I disagree - the former company is the one that is refusing to act in a dignified manner. What they are doing is not professional in any way. They had the opportunity to retain OP's expertise and, for whatever reason, they failed to do so. OP has gone above and beyond in helping them transition up to this point, they are now not respecting OP's request not to be involved further. The most professional response from OP is to now walk away from the situation.

            – delinear
            10 hours ago






          • 2





            @R.Schmitz "You should ask this question to someone you pay for his time!" hang up

            – Josef
            10 hours ago






          • 4





            "I don't know" possibly combined with "I can't remember those details anymore" might convince them that the well is actually dry, also.

            – Todd Wilcox
            6 hours ago















          188















          Is there anything I can do to simply tell them to bug off?




          Just stop answering their questions.



          Nothing says "bug off" quite like not giving answers to repeated questions.



          You've trained them to continue to rely on you for help. This is your fault. Time to un-train them.



          You don't need to answer the phone if they call. If you do answer, just brush it off with something like "Sorry, I'm too busy to help." Either way, once the answers dry up, they'll stop calling.






          share|improve this answer




















          • 2





            This would work, although I'm thinking telling them that we won't reply to their further calls before doing so, would work better than giving them the cold silence.

            – Clockwork
            13 hours ago






          • 4





            @Clockwork, OP already put " I got tired of it and finally told them I could no longer assist because I had my own priorities"

            – Steve Smith
            13 hours ago






          • 15





            I disagree - the former company is the one that is refusing to act in a dignified manner. What they are doing is not professional in any way. They had the opportunity to retain OP's expertise and, for whatever reason, they failed to do so. OP has gone above and beyond in helping them transition up to this point, they are now not respecting OP's request not to be involved further. The most professional response from OP is to now walk away from the situation.

            – delinear
            10 hours ago






          • 2





            @R.Schmitz "You should ask this question to someone you pay for his time!" hang up

            – Josef
            10 hours ago






          • 4





            "I don't know" possibly combined with "I can't remember those details anymore" might convince them that the well is actually dry, also.

            – Todd Wilcox
            6 hours ago













          188












          188








          188








          Is there anything I can do to simply tell them to bug off?




          Just stop answering their questions.



          Nothing says "bug off" quite like not giving answers to repeated questions.



          You've trained them to continue to rely on you for help. This is your fault. Time to un-train them.



          You don't need to answer the phone if they call. If you do answer, just brush it off with something like "Sorry, I'm too busy to help." Either way, once the answers dry up, they'll stop calling.






          share|improve this answer
















          Is there anything I can do to simply tell them to bug off?




          Just stop answering their questions.



          Nothing says "bug off" quite like not giving answers to repeated questions.



          You've trained them to continue to rely on you for help. This is your fault. Time to un-train them.



          You don't need to answer the phone if they call. If you do answer, just brush it off with something like "Sorry, I'm too busy to help." Either way, once the answers dry up, they'll stop calling.







          share|improve this answer














          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer








          edited 9 hours ago

























          answered yesterday









          Joe StrazzereJoe Strazzere

          252k1277311042




          252k1277311042







          • 2





            This would work, although I'm thinking telling them that we won't reply to their further calls before doing so, would work better than giving them the cold silence.

            – Clockwork
            13 hours ago






          • 4





            @Clockwork, OP already put " I got tired of it and finally told them I could no longer assist because I had my own priorities"

            – Steve Smith
            13 hours ago






          • 15





            I disagree - the former company is the one that is refusing to act in a dignified manner. What they are doing is not professional in any way. They had the opportunity to retain OP's expertise and, for whatever reason, they failed to do so. OP has gone above and beyond in helping them transition up to this point, they are now not respecting OP's request not to be involved further. The most professional response from OP is to now walk away from the situation.

            – delinear
            10 hours ago






          • 2





            @R.Schmitz "You should ask this question to someone you pay for his time!" hang up

            – Josef
            10 hours ago






          • 4





            "I don't know" possibly combined with "I can't remember those details anymore" might convince them that the well is actually dry, also.

            – Todd Wilcox
            6 hours ago












          • 2





            This would work, although I'm thinking telling them that we won't reply to their further calls before doing so, would work better than giving them the cold silence.

            – Clockwork
            13 hours ago






          • 4





            @Clockwork, OP already put " I got tired of it and finally told them I could no longer assist because I had my own priorities"

            – Steve Smith
            13 hours ago






          • 15





            I disagree - the former company is the one that is refusing to act in a dignified manner. What they are doing is not professional in any way. They had the opportunity to retain OP's expertise and, for whatever reason, they failed to do so. OP has gone above and beyond in helping them transition up to this point, they are now not respecting OP's request not to be involved further. The most professional response from OP is to now walk away from the situation.

            – delinear
            10 hours ago






          • 2





            @R.Schmitz "You should ask this question to someone you pay for his time!" hang up

            – Josef
            10 hours ago






          • 4





            "I don't know" possibly combined with "I can't remember those details anymore" might convince them that the well is actually dry, also.

            – Todd Wilcox
            6 hours ago







          2




          2





          This would work, although I'm thinking telling them that we won't reply to their further calls before doing so, would work better than giving them the cold silence.

          – Clockwork
          13 hours ago





          This would work, although I'm thinking telling them that we won't reply to their further calls before doing so, would work better than giving them the cold silence.

          – Clockwork
          13 hours ago




          4




          4





          @Clockwork, OP already put " I got tired of it and finally told them I could no longer assist because I had my own priorities"

          – Steve Smith
          13 hours ago





          @Clockwork, OP already put " I got tired of it and finally told them I could no longer assist because I had my own priorities"

          – Steve Smith
          13 hours ago




          15




          15





          I disagree - the former company is the one that is refusing to act in a dignified manner. What they are doing is not professional in any way. They had the opportunity to retain OP's expertise and, for whatever reason, they failed to do so. OP has gone above and beyond in helping them transition up to this point, they are now not respecting OP's request not to be involved further. The most professional response from OP is to now walk away from the situation.

          – delinear
          10 hours ago





          I disagree - the former company is the one that is refusing to act in a dignified manner. What they are doing is not professional in any way. They had the opportunity to retain OP's expertise and, for whatever reason, they failed to do so. OP has gone above and beyond in helping them transition up to this point, they are now not respecting OP's request not to be involved further. The most professional response from OP is to now walk away from the situation.

          – delinear
          10 hours ago




          2




          2





          @R.Schmitz "You should ask this question to someone you pay for his time!" hang up

          – Josef
          10 hours ago





          @R.Schmitz "You should ask this question to someone you pay for his time!" hang up

          – Josef
          10 hours ago




          4




          4





          "I don't know" possibly combined with "I can't remember those details anymore" might convince them that the well is actually dry, also.

          – Todd Wilcox
          6 hours ago





          "I don't know" possibly combined with "I can't remember those details anymore" might convince them that the well is actually dry, also.

          – Todd Wilcox
          6 hours ago













          206














          The most effective way is to tell them you charge X per hour for answering questions, and they need to give you an address where to send invoices.



          Having to explain your bill will stop most people from asking questions.






          share|improve this answer























          • Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.

            – Snow
            8 hours ago






          • 2





            This sounds like a fun thing to do, but is actually going to get you involved in more discussion. Just saying no is the straightforward way.

            – DJClayworth
            4 hours ago











          • I'd add that the "X per hour" should be fairly outrageous, or you might actually get pulled in to help. If they still want your help, increase the rate stating that every time they ask for your help, your rate increases. You don't even have to tell them this is an incentive to bug off. And if they complain that it's extortion, you tell them it's their choice for continuing to ask for help. You might also want to put a time limit on each time you help, too. This is to help cover the loophole of asking for 1000 hours on their 3rd call to prevent future rate hikes.

            – computercarguy
            2 hours ago






          • 1





            X should be the rate at which OP is happy to participate. Pretty simple. If there is no number at which that's true, then sure: "No" is a better answer. But there's always a number.

            – Alex M
            2 hours ago















          206














          The most effective way is to tell them you charge X per hour for answering questions, and they need to give you an address where to send invoices.



          Having to explain your bill will stop most people from asking questions.






          share|improve this answer























          • Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.

            – Snow
            8 hours ago






          • 2





            This sounds like a fun thing to do, but is actually going to get you involved in more discussion. Just saying no is the straightforward way.

            – DJClayworth
            4 hours ago











          • I'd add that the "X per hour" should be fairly outrageous, or you might actually get pulled in to help. If they still want your help, increase the rate stating that every time they ask for your help, your rate increases. You don't even have to tell them this is an incentive to bug off. And if they complain that it's extortion, you tell them it's their choice for continuing to ask for help. You might also want to put a time limit on each time you help, too. This is to help cover the loophole of asking for 1000 hours on their 3rd call to prevent future rate hikes.

            – computercarguy
            2 hours ago






          • 1





            X should be the rate at which OP is happy to participate. Pretty simple. If there is no number at which that's true, then sure: "No" is a better answer. But there's always a number.

            – Alex M
            2 hours ago













          206












          206








          206







          The most effective way is to tell them you charge X per hour for answering questions, and they need to give you an address where to send invoices.



          Having to explain your bill will stop most people from asking questions.






          share|improve this answer













          The most effective way is to tell them you charge X per hour for answering questions, and they need to give you an address where to send invoices.



          Having to explain your bill will stop most people from asking questions.







          share|improve this answer












          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer










          answered yesterday









          gnasher729gnasher729

          90.1k41160283




          90.1k41160283












          • Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.

            – Snow
            8 hours ago






          • 2





            This sounds like a fun thing to do, but is actually going to get you involved in more discussion. Just saying no is the straightforward way.

            – DJClayworth
            4 hours ago











          • I'd add that the "X per hour" should be fairly outrageous, or you might actually get pulled in to help. If they still want your help, increase the rate stating that every time they ask for your help, your rate increases. You don't even have to tell them this is an incentive to bug off. And if they complain that it's extortion, you tell them it's their choice for continuing to ask for help. You might also want to put a time limit on each time you help, too. This is to help cover the loophole of asking for 1000 hours on their 3rd call to prevent future rate hikes.

            – computercarguy
            2 hours ago






          • 1





            X should be the rate at which OP is happy to participate. Pretty simple. If there is no number at which that's true, then sure: "No" is a better answer. But there's always a number.

            – Alex M
            2 hours ago

















          • Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.

            – Snow
            8 hours ago






          • 2





            This sounds like a fun thing to do, but is actually going to get you involved in more discussion. Just saying no is the straightforward way.

            – DJClayworth
            4 hours ago











          • I'd add that the "X per hour" should be fairly outrageous, or you might actually get pulled in to help. If they still want your help, increase the rate stating that every time they ask for your help, your rate increases. You don't even have to tell them this is an incentive to bug off. And if they complain that it's extortion, you tell them it's their choice for continuing to ask for help. You might also want to put a time limit on each time you help, too. This is to help cover the loophole of asking for 1000 hours on their 3rd call to prevent future rate hikes.

            – computercarguy
            2 hours ago






          • 1





            X should be the rate at which OP is happy to participate. Pretty simple. If there is no number at which that's true, then sure: "No" is a better answer. But there's always a number.

            – Alex M
            2 hours ago
















          Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.

          – Snow
          8 hours ago





          Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.

          – Snow
          8 hours ago




          2




          2





          This sounds like a fun thing to do, but is actually going to get you involved in more discussion. Just saying no is the straightforward way.

          – DJClayworth
          4 hours ago





          This sounds like a fun thing to do, but is actually going to get you involved in more discussion. Just saying no is the straightforward way.

          – DJClayworth
          4 hours ago













          I'd add that the "X per hour" should be fairly outrageous, or you might actually get pulled in to help. If they still want your help, increase the rate stating that every time they ask for your help, your rate increases. You don't even have to tell them this is an incentive to bug off. And if they complain that it's extortion, you tell them it's their choice for continuing to ask for help. You might also want to put a time limit on each time you help, too. This is to help cover the loophole of asking for 1000 hours on their 3rd call to prevent future rate hikes.

          – computercarguy
          2 hours ago





          I'd add that the "X per hour" should be fairly outrageous, or you might actually get pulled in to help. If they still want your help, increase the rate stating that every time they ask for your help, your rate increases. You don't even have to tell them this is an incentive to bug off. And if they complain that it's extortion, you tell them it's their choice for continuing to ask for help. You might also want to put a time limit on each time you help, too. This is to help cover the loophole of asking for 1000 hours on their 3rd call to prevent future rate hikes.

          – computercarguy
          2 hours ago




          1




          1





          X should be the rate at which OP is happy to participate. Pretty simple. If there is no number at which that's true, then sure: "No" is a better answer. But there's always a number.

          – Alex M
          2 hours ago





          X should be the rate at which OP is happy to participate. Pretty simple. If there is no number at which that's true, then sure: "No" is a better answer. But there's always a number.

          – Alex M
          2 hours ago











          55














          Your options are (multiple choice):



          • Tell them to stop calling


          • Ignore the calls


          • Block their numbers


          • Offer to consult for an exorbitant rate


          • Inform them you're going to request a no-contact order, if they find
            ways to go around your blocks or continue after you tell them to stop
            calling


          • Actually request a no-contact order






          share|improve this answer








          New contributor




          Havegooda is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
          Check out our Code of Conduct.















          • 34





            Personally I'd put "exorbitant rate" as number one. That establishes your position and tends to shut people down when you are asking 4x the going rate (and as a day rate - none of this by the question/hour stuff)

            – Peter M
            yesterday






          • 5





            @PeterM - The reason I didn't do that initially was because OP asked how to get them to stop. Offering to consult leaves the door open a crack. I only included it because I thought the same as you and hey...who doesn't like money?

            – Havegooda
            yesterday






          • 4





            Depending where you are (or, more precisely, on your employment contract - but what is common in an employment contract varies by region and industry), consulting may not be legal.

            – Martin Bonner
            yesterday






          • 6





            If you really don't want to be involved with them, be careful with the exorbitant rate option. Sometimes it's easy to think that the money would be worth it, then they accept your high rate and cause you stress and it's not worth it after all. Still, it's definitely an option worth considering in some cases.

            – rooby
            yesterday






          • 3





            Don't forget to ask for payment up front, if you're going for the "exorbitant rate" strategy. It might even be wise to ask for a "minimum commitment" of 5 days so you don't have the overhead of billing for just one day. And while you're at it, back-charge for the previous questions.

            – MSalters
            11 hours ago















          55














          Your options are (multiple choice):



          • Tell them to stop calling


          • Ignore the calls


          • Block their numbers


          • Offer to consult for an exorbitant rate


          • Inform them you're going to request a no-contact order, if they find
            ways to go around your blocks or continue after you tell them to stop
            calling


          • Actually request a no-contact order






          share|improve this answer








          New contributor




          Havegooda is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
          Check out our Code of Conduct.















          • 34





            Personally I'd put "exorbitant rate" as number one. That establishes your position and tends to shut people down when you are asking 4x the going rate (and as a day rate - none of this by the question/hour stuff)

            – Peter M
            yesterday






          • 5





            @PeterM - The reason I didn't do that initially was because OP asked how to get them to stop. Offering to consult leaves the door open a crack. I only included it because I thought the same as you and hey...who doesn't like money?

            – Havegooda
            yesterday






          • 4





            Depending where you are (or, more precisely, on your employment contract - but what is common in an employment contract varies by region and industry), consulting may not be legal.

            – Martin Bonner
            yesterday






          • 6





            If you really don't want to be involved with them, be careful with the exorbitant rate option. Sometimes it's easy to think that the money would be worth it, then they accept your high rate and cause you stress and it's not worth it after all. Still, it's definitely an option worth considering in some cases.

            – rooby
            yesterday






          • 3





            Don't forget to ask for payment up front, if you're going for the "exorbitant rate" strategy. It might even be wise to ask for a "minimum commitment" of 5 days so you don't have the overhead of billing for just one day. And while you're at it, back-charge for the previous questions.

            – MSalters
            11 hours ago













          55












          55








          55







          Your options are (multiple choice):



          • Tell them to stop calling


          • Ignore the calls


          • Block their numbers


          • Offer to consult for an exorbitant rate


          • Inform them you're going to request a no-contact order, if they find
            ways to go around your blocks or continue after you tell them to stop
            calling


          • Actually request a no-contact order






          share|improve this answer








          New contributor




          Havegooda is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
          Check out our Code of Conduct.










          Your options are (multiple choice):



          • Tell them to stop calling


          • Ignore the calls


          • Block their numbers


          • Offer to consult for an exorbitant rate


          • Inform them you're going to request a no-contact order, if they find
            ways to go around your blocks or continue after you tell them to stop
            calling


          • Actually request a no-contact order







          share|improve this answer








          New contributor




          Havegooda is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
          Check out our Code of Conduct.









          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer






          New contributor




          Havegooda is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
          Check out our Code of Conduct.









          answered yesterday









          HavegoodaHavegooda

          50114




          50114




          New contributor




          Havegooda is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
          Check out our Code of Conduct.





          New contributor





          Havegooda is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
          Check out our Code of Conduct.






          Havegooda is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
          Check out our Code of Conduct.







          • 34





            Personally I'd put "exorbitant rate" as number one. That establishes your position and tends to shut people down when you are asking 4x the going rate (and as a day rate - none of this by the question/hour stuff)

            – Peter M
            yesterday






          • 5





            @PeterM - The reason I didn't do that initially was because OP asked how to get them to stop. Offering to consult leaves the door open a crack. I only included it because I thought the same as you and hey...who doesn't like money?

            – Havegooda
            yesterday






          • 4





            Depending where you are (or, more precisely, on your employment contract - but what is common in an employment contract varies by region and industry), consulting may not be legal.

            – Martin Bonner
            yesterday






          • 6





            If you really don't want to be involved with them, be careful with the exorbitant rate option. Sometimes it's easy to think that the money would be worth it, then they accept your high rate and cause you stress and it's not worth it after all. Still, it's definitely an option worth considering in some cases.

            – rooby
            yesterday






          • 3





            Don't forget to ask for payment up front, if you're going for the "exorbitant rate" strategy. It might even be wise to ask for a "minimum commitment" of 5 days so you don't have the overhead of billing for just one day. And while you're at it, back-charge for the previous questions.

            – MSalters
            11 hours ago












          • 34





            Personally I'd put "exorbitant rate" as number one. That establishes your position and tends to shut people down when you are asking 4x the going rate (and as a day rate - none of this by the question/hour stuff)

            – Peter M
            yesterday






          • 5





            @PeterM - The reason I didn't do that initially was because OP asked how to get them to stop. Offering to consult leaves the door open a crack. I only included it because I thought the same as you and hey...who doesn't like money?

            – Havegooda
            yesterday






          • 4





            Depending where you are (or, more precisely, on your employment contract - but what is common in an employment contract varies by region and industry), consulting may not be legal.

            – Martin Bonner
            yesterday






          • 6





            If you really don't want to be involved with them, be careful with the exorbitant rate option. Sometimes it's easy to think that the money would be worth it, then they accept your high rate and cause you stress and it's not worth it after all. Still, it's definitely an option worth considering in some cases.

            – rooby
            yesterday






          • 3





            Don't forget to ask for payment up front, if you're going for the "exorbitant rate" strategy. It might even be wise to ask for a "minimum commitment" of 5 days so you don't have the overhead of billing for just one day. And while you're at it, back-charge for the previous questions.

            – MSalters
            11 hours ago







          34




          34





          Personally I'd put "exorbitant rate" as number one. That establishes your position and tends to shut people down when you are asking 4x the going rate (and as a day rate - none of this by the question/hour stuff)

          – Peter M
          yesterday





          Personally I'd put "exorbitant rate" as number one. That establishes your position and tends to shut people down when you are asking 4x the going rate (and as a day rate - none of this by the question/hour stuff)

          – Peter M
          yesterday




          5




          5





          @PeterM - The reason I didn't do that initially was because OP asked how to get them to stop. Offering to consult leaves the door open a crack. I only included it because I thought the same as you and hey...who doesn't like money?

          – Havegooda
          yesterday





          @PeterM - The reason I didn't do that initially was because OP asked how to get them to stop. Offering to consult leaves the door open a crack. I only included it because I thought the same as you and hey...who doesn't like money?

          – Havegooda
          yesterday




          4




          4





          Depending where you are (or, more precisely, on your employment contract - but what is common in an employment contract varies by region and industry), consulting may not be legal.

          – Martin Bonner
          yesterday





          Depending where you are (or, more precisely, on your employment contract - but what is common in an employment contract varies by region and industry), consulting may not be legal.

          – Martin Bonner
          yesterday




          6




          6





          If you really don't want to be involved with them, be careful with the exorbitant rate option. Sometimes it's easy to think that the money would be worth it, then they accept your high rate and cause you stress and it's not worth it after all. Still, it's definitely an option worth considering in some cases.

          – rooby
          yesterday





          If you really don't want to be involved with them, be careful with the exorbitant rate option. Sometimes it's easy to think that the money would be worth it, then they accept your high rate and cause you stress and it's not worth it after all. Still, it's definitely an option worth considering in some cases.

          – rooby
          yesterday




          3




          3





          Don't forget to ask for payment up front, if you're going for the "exorbitant rate" strategy. It might even be wise to ask for a "minimum commitment" of 5 days so you don't have the overhead of billing for just one day. And while you're at it, back-charge for the previous questions.

          – MSalters
          11 hours ago





          Don't forget to ask for payment up front, if you're going for the "exorbitant rate" strategy. It might even be wise to ask for a "minimum commitment" of 5 days so you don't have the overhead of billing for just one day. And while you're at it, back-charge for the previous questions.

          – MSalters
          11 hours ago











          20














          I've been on the other end of this, taking over for someone who left after building or implementing most of the systems I still use to this day.



          For the first few weeks, I was emailing or messaging him constantly. HE did a good job of NOT getting back to me instantly. He was NOT on-call. It gave me time to flail and learn and try to become self-sufficient, and I did slowly wean myself from his support. He also used the exorbitant consultant rate for actual projects we threw his way, until I had enough experience and knowledge built up that we no longer needed him for even that much.



          So, having been on the other side of the coin, I can say this: unless you left very clear instructions and processes and manuals, and basically made your leaving seamless, it's not necessarily fair to assume that they aren't genuinely struggling without you. Even so, that in no way leaves you in the position of needing to prioritize their requests, especially if they're not paying you to do so.



          Obviously, situations vary, and your mileage may vary. If their requests are overly burdensome or aggressive, then just not answering (or maybe waiting a week/month and finally responding with "did you guys ever figure this out?" (but ONLY if you actually want to take it on, since they very likely did NOT figure this out! LOL!), just to keep the lines open just in case.)






          share|improve this answer








          New contributor




          Dustin Kreidler is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
          Check out our Code of Conduct.















          • 14





            I think the key words there are "exorbitant consultant rate." Nobody should be getting free over-the-phone support once you've left.

            – Matthew Barber
            yesterday






          • 5





            "it's not necessarily fair to assume that they aren't genuinely struggling without you. Even so, that in no way leaves you in the position of needing to prioritize their requests, especially if they're not paying you to do so" - or even answer the requests. Them struggling does not equal OP does free work.

            – Robert Grant
            yesterday






          • 8





            I completely understand that it can be a struggle for those left behind. Fortunately you seem to have come to understand that this is not to be made, in any way, the problem of those who left you behind. This has nothing to do with whether the requests are burdensome or not. It's simply inappropriate. Nobody who is not paid by that company for work that benefits that company should ever be expected to contribute to that company on their own time. It's literally as simple as that.

            – Lightness Races in Orbit
            21 hours ago







          • 9





            It's not OP's fault if someone is struggling due to lack of documentation. Unless it was OP's job to take care of documentation someone should have thought "what are we gonna do when X leaves, considering we have no documentation whatsoever?". OP sohuldn't have to pay for someone else's lack of interest in documentation.

            – GustavoMP
            14 hours ago






          • 3





            @GustavoMP: In the case of at least one of my former jobs, I would have to remind them that I wasn’t the one that decided documentation should not be worked on.

            – WGroleau
            7 hours ago















          20














          I've been on the other end of this, taking over for someone who left after building or implementing most of the systems I still use to this day.



          For the first few weeks, I was emailing or messaging him constantly. HE did a good job of NOT getting back to me instantly. He was NOT on-call. It gave me time to flail and learn and try to become self-sufficient, and I did slowly wean myself from his support. He also used the exorbitant consultant rate for actual projects we threw his way, until I had enough experience and knowledge built up that we no longer needed him for even that much.



          So, having been on the other side of the coin, I can say this: unless you left very clear instructions and processes and manuals, and basically made your leaving seamless, it's not necessarily fair to assume that they aren't genuinely struggling without you. Even so, that in no way leaves you in the position of needing to prioritize their requests, especially if they're not paying you to do so.



          Obviously, situations vary, and your mileage may vary. If their requests are overly burdensome or aggressive, then just not answering (or maybe waiting a week/month and finally responding with "did you guys ever figure this out?" (but ONLY if you actually want to take it on, since they very likely did NOT figure this out! LOL!), just to keep the lines open just in case.)






          share|improve this answer








          New contributor




          Dustin Kreidler is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
          Check out our Code of Conduct.















          • 14





            I think the key words there are "exorbitant consultant rate." Nobody should be getting free over-the-phone support once you've left.

            – Matthew Barber
            yesterday






          • 5





            "it's not necessarily fair to assume that they aren't genuinely struggling without you. Even so, that in no way leaves you in the position of needing to prioritize their requests, especially if they're not paying you to do so" - or even answer the requests. Them struggling does not equal OP does free work.

            – Robert Grant
            yesterday






          • 8





            I completely understand that it can be a struggle for those left behind. Fortunately you seem to have come to understand that this is not to be made, in any way, the problem of those who left you behind. This has nothing to do with whether the requests are burdensome or not. It's simply inappropriate. Nobody who is not paid by that company for work that benefits that company should ever be expected to contribute to that company on their own time. It's literally as simple as that.

            – Lightness Races in Orbit
            21 hours ago







          • 9





            It's not OP's fault if someone is struggling due to lack of documentation. Unless it was OP's job to take care of documentation someone should have thought "what are we gonna do when X leaves, considering we have no documentation whatsoever?". OP sohuldn't have to pay for someone else's lack of interest in documentation.

            – GustavoMP
            14 hours ago






          • 3





            @GustavoMP: In the case of at least one of my former jobs, I would have to remind them that I wasn’t the one that decided documentation should not be worked on.

            – WGroleau
            7 hours ago













          20












          20








          20







          I've been on the other end of this, taking over for someone who left after building or implementing most of the systems I still use to this day.



          For the first few weeks, I was emailing or messaging him constantly. HE did a good job of NOT getting back to me instantly. He was NOT on-call. It gave me time to flail and learn and try to become self-sufficient, and I did slowly wean myself from his support. He also used the exorbitant consultant rate for actual projects we threw his way, until I had enough experience and knowledge built up that we no longer needed him for even that much.



          So, having been on the other side of the coin, I can say this: unless you left very clear instructions and processes and manuals, and basically made your leaving seamless, it's not necessarily fair to assume that they aren't genuinely struggling without you. Even so, that in no way leaves you in the position of needing to prioritize their requests, especially if they're not paying you to do so.



          Obviously, situations vary, and your mileage may vary. If their requests are overly burdensome or aggressive, then just not answering (or maybe waiting a week/month and finally responding with "did you guys ever figure this out?" (but ONLY if you actually want to take it on, since they very likely did NOT figure this out! LOL!), just to keep the lines open just in case.)






          share|improve this answer








          New contributor




          Dustin Kreidler is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
          Check out our Code of Conduct.










          I've been on the other end of this, taking over for someone who left after building or implementing most of the systems I still use to this day.



          For the first few weeks, I was emailing or messaging him constantly. HE did a good job of NOT getting back to me instantly. He was NOT on-call. It gave me time to flail and learn and try to become self-sufficient, and I did slowly wean myself from his support. He also used the exorbitant consultant rate for actual projects we threw his way, until I had enough experience and knowledge built up that we no longer needed him for even that much.



          So, having been on the other side of the coin, I can say this: unless you left very clear instructions and processes and manuals, and basically made your leaving seamless, it's not necessarily fair to assume that they aren't genuinely struggling without you. Even so, that in no way leaves you in the position of needing to prioritize their requests, especially if they're not paying you to do so.



          Obviously, situations vary, and your mileage may vary. If their requests are overly burdensome or aggressive, then just not answering (or maybe waiting a week/month and finally responding with "did you guys ever figure this out?" (but ONLY if you actually want to take it on, since they very likely did NOT figure this out! LOL!), just to keep the lines open just in case.)







          share|improve this answer








          New contributor




          Dustin Kreidler is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
          Check out our Code of Conduct.









          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer






          New contributor




          Dustin Kreidler is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
          Check out our Code of Conduct.









          answered yesterday









          Dustin KreidlerDustin Kreidler

          3015




          3015




          New contributor




          Dustin Kreidler is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
          Check out our Code of Conduct.





          New contributor





          Dustin Kreidler is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
          Check out our Code of Conduct.






          Dustin Kreidler is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
          Check out our Code of Conduct.







          • 14





            I think the key words there are "exorbitant consultant rate." Nobody should be getting free over-the-phone support once you've left.

            – Matthew Barber
            yesterday






          • 5





            "it's not necessarily fair to assume that they aren't genuinely struggling without you. Even so, that in no way leaves you in the position of needing to prioritize their requests, especially if they're not paying you to do so" - or even answer the requests. Them struggling does not equal OP does free work.

            – Robert Grant
            yesterday






          • 8





            I completely understand that it can be a struggle for those left behind. Fortunately you seem to have come to understand that this is not to be made, in any way, the problem of those who left you behind. This has nothing to do with whether the requests are burdensome or not. It's simply inappropriate. Nobody who is not paid by that company for work that benefits that company should ever be expected to contribute to that company on their own time. It's literally as simple as that.

            – Lightness Races in Orbit
            21 hours ago







          • 9





            It's not OP's fault if someone is struggling due to lack of documentation. Unless it was OP's job to take care of documentation someone should have thought "what are we gonna do when X leaves, considering we have no documentation whatsoever?". OP sohuldn't have to pay for someone else's lack of interest in documentation.

            – GustavoMP
            14 hours ago






          • 3





            @GustavoMP: In the case of at least one of my former jobs, I would have to remind them that I wasn’t the one that decided documentation should not be worked on.

            – WGroleau
            7 hours ago












          • 14





            I think the key words there are "exorbitant consultant rate." Nobody should be getting free over-the-phone support once you've left.

            – Matthew Barber
            yesterday






          • 5





            "it's not necessarily fair to assume that they aren't genuinely struggling without you. Even so, that in no way leaves you in the position of needing to prioritize their requests, especially if they're not paying you to do so" - or even answer the requests. Them struggling does not equal OP does free work.

            – Robert Grant
            yesterday






          • 8





            I completely understand that it can be a struggle for those left behind. Fortunately you seem to have come to understand that this is not to be made, in any way, the problem of those who left you behind. This has nothing to do with whether the requests are burdensome or not. It's simply inappropriate. Nobody who is not paid by that company for work that benefits that company should ever be expected to contribute to that company on their own time. It's literally as simple as that.

            – Lightness Races in Orbit
            21 hours ago







          • 9





            It's not OP's fault if someone is struggling due to lack of documentation. Unless it was OP's job to take care of documentation someone should have thought "what are we gonna do when X leaves, considering we have no documentation whatsoever?". OP sohuldn't have to pay for someone else's lack of interest in documentation.

            – GustavoMP
            14 hours ago






          • 3





            @GustavoMP: In the case of at least one of my former jobs, I would have to remind them that I wasn’t the one that decided documentation should not be worked on.

            – WGroleau
            7 hours ago







          14




          14





          I think the key words there are "exorbitant consultant rate." Nobody should be getting free over-the-phone support once you've left.

          – Matthew Barber
          yesterday





          I think the key words there are "exorbitant consultant rate." Nobody should be getting free over-the-phone support once you've left.

          – Matthew Barber
          yesterday




          5




          5





          "it's not necessarily fair to assume that they aren't genuinely struggling without you. Even so, that in no way leaves you in the position of needing to prioritize their requests, especially if they're not paying you to do so" - or even answer the requests. Them struggling does not equal OP does free work.

          – Robert Grant
          yesterday





          "it's not necessarily fair to assume that they aren't genuinely struggling without you. Even so, that in no way leaves you in the position of needing to prioritize their requests, especially if they're not paying you to do so" - or even answer the requests. Them struggling does not equal OP does free work.

          – Robert Grant
          yesterday




          8




          8





          I completely understand that it can be a struggle for those left behind. Fortunately you seem to have come to understand that this is not to be made, in any way, the problem of those who left you behind. This has nothing to do with whether the requests are burdensome or not. It's simply inappropriate. Nobody who is not paid by that company for work that benefits that company should ever be expected to contribute to that company on their own time. It's literally as simple as that.

          – Lightness Races in Orbit
          21 hours ago






          I completely understand that it can be a struggle for those left behind. Fortunately you seem to have come to understand that this is not to be made, in any way, the problem of those who left you behind. This has nothing to do with whether the requests are burdensome or not. It's simply inappropriate. Nobody who is not paid by that company for work that benefits that company should ever be expected to contribute to that company on their own time. It's literally as simple as that.

          – Lightness Races in Orbit
          21 hours ago





          9




          9





          It's not OP's fault if someone is struggling due to lack of documentation. Unless it was OP's job to take care of documentation someone should have thought "what are we gonna do when X leaves, considering we have no documentation whatsoever?". OP sohuldn't have to pay for someone else's lack of interest in documentation.

          – GustavoMP
          14 hours ago





          It's not OP's fault if someone is struggling due to lack of documentation. Unless it was OP's job to take care of documentation someone should have thought "what are we gonna do when X leaves, considering we have no documentation whatsoever?". OP sohuldn't have to pay for someone else's lack of interest in documentation.

          – GustavoMP
          14 hours ago




          3




          3





          @GustavoMP: In the case of at least one of my former jobs, I would have to remind them that I wasn’t the one that decided documentation should not be worked on.

          – WGroleau
          7 hours ago





          @GustavoMP: In the case of at least one of my former jobs, I would have to remind them that I wasn’t the one that decided documentation should not be worked on.

          – WGroleau
          7 hours ago











          11














          What I haven't seen anyone address is that you say while YOU have stopped taking the calls they're contacting your subordinate. He needs to show tough love with them and tell them to stop calling. You need to make it clear to him that your expectation is that he not work for other companies while on the clock with you -- strongly encourage him to get tough.






          share|improve this answer



























            11














            What I haven't seen anyone address is that you say while YOU have stopped taking the calls they're contacting your subordinate. He needs to show tough love with them and tell them to stop calling. You need to make it clear to him that your expectation is that he not work for other companies while on the clock with you -- strongly encourage him to get tough.






            share|improve this answer

























              11












              11








              11







              What I haven't seen anyone address is that you say while YOU have stopped taking the calls they're contacting your subordinate. He needs to show tough love with them and tell them to stop calling. You need to make it clear to him that your expectation is that he not work for other companies while on the clock with you -- strongly encourage him to get tough.






              share|improve this answer













              What I haven't seen anyone address is that you say while YOU have stopped taking the calls they're contacting your subordinate. He needs to show tough love with them and tell them to stop calling. You need to make it clear to him that your expectation is that he not work for other companies while on the clock with you -- strongly encourage him to get tough.







              share|improve this answer












              share|improve this answer



              share|improve this answer










              answered yesterday









              KeithKeith

              2,3212416




              2,3212416





















                  8














                  Your coworker needs to bill the company for his continued assistance.



                  He may not want a side business... But he's already got one, as long as he keeps answering the phone.



                  He needs to select a consultancy rate which is not inappropriate for the skills and marketplace, e.g. $200/hr



                  When he gets a call he needs to document who he's talking to, what the problem is, collect the question(s) from the person if brief, otherwise ask them to send an email elucidating all their questions. Don't answer anything and be quick, especially if it's on your company's time.



                  After he has gone home from the office and is on his own time, he should take on the questions seriously. Perhaps follow up with the person. Then he should "formally write-up" the answer in a sensible, presentable format, and email it to the person.



                  Then, he looks at the total time spent on it, round up to the nearest increment of time that is not unreasonable, and send a bill to the company for consulting services net 10.*



                  It is important this not consist of any "new work" but be confined to wrap-up and exit documentation, akin to an exit interview. He cannot be working for two companies in the same field at once. In fact if this goes very far at all, he needs to have a conversation with your current company's HR to resolve any conflict of interest, which there shouldn't be because it should be confined to discussion of work he already did.



                  If it just gets him paid, awesome.



                  It may also cause a little excitement, in which case, the next time they call, he says




                  "Well, I'd love to help you, but the company seems reluctant to pay. Could you provide a PO number ** for this consultation?"




                  Once he's past the 10 days (or whatever) of the first bill, when they call he immediately steers the conversation to the fact that their payment is late, and he needs to absolutely refuse to give any further help until it's paid. With luck, they'll be so in need of his assistance that they'll expedite payment, in which case, he has a nice little side business.



                  If they pay... Well, that backfired. He can just keep jacking his rates (with notice of course) until he's soured the milk and weaned them off his aid. In the meantime, free money for what he's already doing...




                  * "Net 10 days" is a billing term, it means the bill should be paid pretty much as fast as checks can fly in the mail. It is customary in business. Don't use a longer billing term, or they could troll you for that long and collect free support in the meantime, just by being ambiguous about paying you. Other terms are "net 30" or "cash", the latter means you do not trust them to pay, and need to hear some credit card numbers right now.



                  ** "PO number" expands to "Purchase Order number" which means you are asking them to create a Purchase Order for the goods or services. If he gives you a PO #, that's a verbal commitment that the company desires to buy this and will pay. Presumably he will be unable to do this.






                  share|improve this answer

























                  • This is a great answer, assuming OP (or his friend) are interested in setting up a side business helping their prior company. As a tactic to make them stop calling (the stated goal in the question) it may not work so well, though. I've heard stories from friends in tech about companies they literally don't want to work with anymore, so they just keep jacking up the price to unreasonable levels, but these companies continue to pay! Again, great answer if OP is interested in the money, but it could very easily work "too well."

                    – Steve-O
                    9 hours ago











                  • @Steve-O great point, edited. This could work too well.

                    – Harper
                    8 hours ago











                  • @Steve-O when you get to $500,000 per hour, they’ll either stop or you can retire.

                    – Wildcard
                    4 hours ago















                  8














                  Your coworker needs to bill the company for his continued assistance.



                  He may not want a side business... But he's already got one, as long as he keeps answering the phone.



                  He needs to select a consultancy rate which is not inappropriate for the skills and marketplace, e.g. $200/hr



                  When he gets a call he needs to document who he's talking to, what the problem is, collect the question(s) from the person if brief, otherwise ask them to send an email elucidating all their questions. Don't answer anything and be quick, especially if it's on your company's time.



                  After he has gone home from the office and is on his own time, he should take on the questions seriously. Perhaps follow up with the person. Then he should "formally write-up" the answer in a sensible, presentable format, and email it to the person.



                  Then, he looks at the total time spent on it, round up to the nearest increment of time that is not unreasonable, and send a bill to the company for consulting services net 10.*



                  It is important this not consist of any "new work" but be confined to wrap-up and exit documentation, akin to an exit interview. He cannot be working for two companies in the same field at once. In fact if this goes very far at all, he needs to have a conversation with your current company's HR to resolve any conflict of interest, which there shouldn't be because it should be confined to discussion of work he already did.



                  If it just gets him paid, awesome.



                  It may also cause a little excitement, in which case, the next time they call, he says




                  "Well, I'd love to help you, but the company seems reluctant to pay. Could you provide a PO number ** for this consultation?"




                  Once he's past the 10 days (or whatever) of the first bill, when they call he immediately steers the conversation to the fact that their payment is late, and he needs to absolutely refuse to give any further help until it's paid. With luck, they'll be so in need of his assistance that they'll expedite payment, in which case, he has a nice little side business.



                  If they pay... Well, that backfired. He can just keep jacking his rates (with notice of course) until he's soured the milk and weaned them off his aid. In the meantime, free money for what he's already doing...




                  * "Net 10 days" is a billing term, it means the bill should be paid pretty much as fast as checks can fly in the mail. It is customary in business. Don't use a longer billing term, or they could troll you for that long and collect free support in the meantime, just by being ambiguous about paying you. Other terms are "net 30" or "cash", the latter means you do not trust them to pay, and need to hear some credit card numbers right now.



                  ** "PO number" expands to "Purchase Order number" which means you are asking them to create a Purchase Order for the goods or services. If he gives you a PO #, that's a verbal commitment that the company desires to buy this and will pay. Presumably he will be unable to do this.






                  share|improve this answer

























                  • This is a great answer, assuming OP (or his friend) are interested in setting up a side business helping their prior company. As a tactic to make them stop calling (the stated goal in the question) it may not work so well, though. I've heard stories from friends in tech about companies they literally don't want to work with anymore, so they just keep jacking up the price to unreasonable levels, but these companies continue to pay! Again, great answer if OP is interested in the money, but it could very easily work "too well."

                    – Steve-O
                    9 hours ago











                  • @Steve-O great point, edited. This could work too well.

                    – Harper
                    8 hours ago











                  • @Steve-O when you get to $500,000 per hour, they’ll either stop or you can retire.

                    – Wildcard
                    4 hours ago













                  8












                  8








                  8







                  Your coworker needs to bill the company for his continued assistance.



                  He may not want a side business... But he's already got one, as long as he keeps answering the phone.



                  He needs to select a consultancy rate which is not inappropriate for the skills and marketplace, e.g. $200/hr



                  When he gets a call he needs to document who he's talking to, what the problem is, collect the question(s) from the person if brief, otherwise ask them to send an email elucidating all their questions. Don't answer anything and be quick, especially if it's on your company's time.



                  After he has gone home from the office and is on his own time, he should take on the questions seriously. Perhaps follow up with the person. Then he should "formally write-up" the answer in a sensible, presentable format, and email it to the person.



                  Then, he looks at the total time spent on it, round up to the nearest increment of time that is not unreasonable, and send a bill to the company for consulting services net 10.*



                  It is important this not consist of any "new work" but be confined to wrap-up and exit documentation, akin to an exit interview. He cannot be working for two companies in the same field at once. In fact if this goes very far at all, he needs to have a conversation with your current company's HR to resolve any conflict of interest, which there shouldn't be because it should be confined to discussion of work he already did.



                  If it just gets him paid, awesome.



                  It may also cause a little excitement, in which case, the next time they call, he says




                  "Well, I'd love to help you, but the company seems reluctant to pay. Could you provide a PO number ** for this consultation?"




                  Once he's past the 10 days (or whatever) of the first bill, when they call he immediately steers the conversation to the fact that their payment is late, and he needs to absolutely refuse to give any further help until it's paid. With luck, they'll be so in need of his assistance that they'll expedite payment, in which case, he has a nice little side business.



                  If they pay... Well, that backfired. He can just keep jacking his rates (with notice of course) until he's soured the milk and weaned them off his aid. In the meantime, free money for what he's already doing...




                  * "Net 10 days" is a billing term, it means the bill should be paid pretty much as fast as checks can fly in the mail. It is customary in business. Don't use a longer billing term, or they could troll you for that long and collect free support in the meantime, just by being ambiguous about paying you. Other terms are "net 30" or "cash", the latter means you do not trust them to pay, and need to hear some credit card numbers right now.



                  ** "PO number" expands to "Purchase Order number" which means you are asking them to create a Purchase Order for the goods or services. If he gives you a PO #, that's a verbal commitment that the company desires to buy this and will pay. Presumably he will be unable to do this.






                  share|improve this answer















                  Your coworker needs to bill the company for his continued assistance.



                  He may not want a side business... But he's already got one, as long as he keeps answering the phone.



                  He needs to select a consultancy rate which is not inappropriate for the skills and marketplace, e.g. $200/hr



                  When he gets a call he needs to document who he's talking to, what the problem is, collect the question(s) from the person if brief, otherwise ask them to send an email elucidating all their questions. Don't answer anything and be quick, especially if it's on your company's time.



                  After he has gone home from the office and is on his own time, he should take on the questions seriously. Perhaps follow up with the person. Then he should "formally write-up" the answer in a sensible, presentable format, and email it to the person.



                  Then, he looks at the total time spent on it, round up to the nearest increment of time that is not unreasonable, and send a bill to the company for consulting services net 10.*



                  It is important this not consist of any "new work" but be confined to wrap-up and exit documentation, akin to an exit interview. He cannot be working for two companies in the same field at once. In fact if this goes very far at all, he needs to have a conversation with your current company's HR to resolve any conflict of interest, which there shouldn't be because it should be confined to discussion of work he already did.



                  If it just gets him paid, awesome.



                  It may also cause a little excitement, in which case, the next time they call, he says




                  "Well, I'd love to help you, but the company seems reluctant to pay. Could you provide a PO number ** for this consultation?"




                  Once he's past the 10 days (or whatever) of the first bill, when they call he immediately steers the conversation to the fact that their payment is late, and he needs to absolutely refuse to give any further help until it's paid. With luck, they'll be so in need of his assistance that they'll expedite payment, in which case, he has a nice little side business.



                  If they pay... Well, that backfired. He can just keep jacking his rates (with notice of course) until he's soured the milk and weaned them off his aid. In the meantime, free money for what he's already doing...




                  * "Net 10 days" is a billing term, it means the bill should be paid pretty much as fast as checks can fly in the mail. It is customary in business. Don't use a longer billing term, or they could troll you for that long and collect free support in the meantime, just by being ambiguous about paying you. Other terms are "net 30" or "cash", the latter means you do not trust them to pay, and need to hear some credit card numbers right now.



                  ** "PO number" expands to "Purchase Order number" which means you are asking them to create a Purchase Order for the goods or services. If he gives you a PO #, that's a verbal commitment that the company desires to buy this and will pay. Presumably he will be unable to do this.







                  share|improve this answer














                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer








                  edited 8 hours ago

























                  answered 21 hours ago









                  HarperHarper

                  5,33211024




                  5,33211024












                  • This is a great answer, assuming OP (or his friend) are interested in setting up a side business helping their prior company. As a tactic to make them stop calling (the stated goal in the question) it may not work so well, though. I've heard stories from friends in tech about companies they literally don't want to work with anymore, so they just keep jacking up the price to unreasonable levels, but these companies continue to pay! Again, great answer if OP is interested in the money, but it could very easily work "too well."

                    – Steve-O
                    9 hours ago











                  • @Steve-O great point, edited. This could work too well.

                    – Harper
                    8 hours ago











                  • @Steve-O when you get to $500,000 per hour, they’ll either stop or you can retire.

                    – Wildcard
                    4 hours ago

















                  • This is a great answer, assuming OP (or his friend) are interested in setting up a side business helping their prior company. As a tactic to make them stop calling (the stated goal in the question) it may not work so well, though. I've heard stories from friends in tech about companies they literally don't want to work with anymore, so they just keep jacking up the price to unreasonable levels, but these companies continue to pay! Again, great answer if OP is interested in the money, but it could very easily work "too well."

                    – Steve-O
                    9 hours ago











                  • @Steve-O great point, edited. This could work too well.

                    – Harper
                    8 hours ago











                  • @Steve-O when you get to $500,000 per hour, they’ll either stop or you can retire.

                    – Wildcard
                    4 hours ago
















                  This is a great answer, assuming OP (or his friend) are interested in setting up a side business helping their prior company. As a tactic to make them stop calling (the stated goal in the question) it may not work so well, though. I've heard stories from friends in tech about companies they literally don't want to work with anymore, so they just keep jacking up the price to unreasonable levels, but these companies continue to pay! Again, great answer if OP is interested in the money, but it could very easily work "too well."

                  – Steve-O
                  9 hours ago





                  This is a great answer, assuming OP (or his friend) are interested in setting up a side business helping their prior company. As a tactic to make them stop calling (the stated goal in the question) it may not work so well, though. I've heard stories from friends in tech about companies they literally don't want to work with anymore, so they just keep jacking up the price to unreasonable levels, but these companies continue to pay! Again, great answer if OP is interested in the money, but it could very easily work "too well."

                  – Steve-O
                  9 hours ago













                  @Steve-O great point, edited. This could work too well.

                  – Harper
                  8 hours ago





                  @Steve-O great point, edited. This could work too well.

                  – Harper
                  8 hours ago













                  @Steve-O when you get to $500,000 per hour, they’ll either stop or you can retire.

                  – Wildcard
                  4 hours ago





                  @Steve-O when you get to $500,000 per hour, they’ll either stop or you can retire.

                  – Wildcard
                  4 hours ago











                  6














                  Consider what your time is worth to you if you would work as a consultant for them.



                  For most people, it's a matter of price - if the pay you for example 3000 $ a day for answering questions, you probably wouldn't mind too much (and that's not ludicrous- we pay that for some consultants). Find your sweet spot, add a bit, and seriously offer them to get in a contractual relationship as 'consultant'.

                  This could end with you having a well paying job, or with them stopping to bother you - both should be solutions you'd be happy with.






                  share|improve this answer



























                    6














                    Consider what your time is worth to you if you would work as a consultant for them.



                    For most people, it's a matter of price - if the pay you for example 3000 $ a day for answering questions, you probably wouldn't mind too much (and that's not ludicrous- we pay that for some consultants). Find your sweet spot, add a bit, and seriously offer them to get in a contractual relationship as 'consultant'.

                    This could end with you having a well paying job, or with them stopping to bother you - both should be solutions you'd be happy with.






                    share|improve this answer

























                      6












                      6








                      6







                      Consider what your time is worth to you if you would work as a consultant for them.



                      For most people, it's a matter of price - if the pay you for example 3000 $ a day for answering questions, you probably wouldn't mind too much (and that's not ludicrous- we pay that for some consultants). Find your sweet spot, add a bit, and seriously offer them to get in a contractual relationship as 'consultant'.

                      This could end with you having a well paying job, or with them stopping to bother you - both should be solutions you'd be happy with.






                      share|improve this answer













                      Consider what your time is worth to you if you would work as a consultant for them.



                      For most people, it's a matter of price - if the pay you for example 3000 $ a day for answering questions, you probably wouldn't mind too much (and that's not ludicrous- we pay that for some consultants). Find your sweet spot, add a bit, and seriously offer them to get in a contractual relationship as 'consultant'.

                      This could end with you having a well paying job, or with them stopping to bother you - both should be solutions you'd be happy with.







                      share|improve this answer












                      share|improve this answer



                      share|improve this answer










                      answered yesterday









                      AganjuAganju

                      1,710411




                      1,710411





















                          3














                          Most of the times, nothing beats the simplicity.



                          Refuse to help, just tell them you're busy. Say,




                          I'd like you to help, but I got work to do. (Yes, your work, which gets you paid).




                          If this calls keep coming, stop taking calls.



                          At some point of time, you have to learn to say "no". The sooner, the better.






                          share|improve this answer




















                          • 7





                            It would be more effective to say outright "No, I can't help". Firstly, it's actually saying the word "no", which (as you say) is needed. Secondly, giving reasons why the OP can't help encourages his former employer to try and find solutions to those reasons, e.g. offering to pay, which is not the desired outcome. Just say "no", nothing more.

                            – BittermanAndy
                            yesterday















                          3














                          Most of the times, nothing beats the simplicity.



                          Refuse to help, just tell them you're busy. Say,




                          I'd like you to help, but I got work to do. (Yes, your work, which gets you paid).




                          If this calls keep coming, stop taking calls.



                          At some point of time, you have to learn to say "no". The sooner, the better.






                          share|improve this answer




















                          • 7





                            It would be more effective to say outright "No, I can't help". Firstly, it's actually saying the word "no", which (as you say) is needed. Secondly, giving reasons why the OP can't help encourages his former employer to try and find solutions to those reasons, e.g. offering to pay, which is not the desired outcome. Just say "no", nothing more.

                            – BittermanAndy
                            yesterday













                          3












                          3








                          3







                          Most of the times, nothing beats the simplicity.



                          Refuse to help, just tell them you're busy. Say,




                          I'd like you to help, but I got work to do. (Yes, your work, which gets you paid).




                          If this calls keep coming, stop taking calls.



                          At some point of time, you have to learn to say "no". The sooner, the better.






                          share|improve this answer















                          Most of the times, nothing beats the simplicity.



                          Refuse to help, just tell them you're busy. Say,




                          I'd like you to help, but I got work to do. (Yes, your work, which gets you paid).




                          If this calls keep coming, stop taking calls.



                          At some point of time, you have to learn to say "no". The sooner, the better.







                          share|improve this answer














                          share|improve this answer



                          share|improve this answer








                          edited yesterday

























                          answered yesterday









                          Sourav GhoshSourav Ghosh

                          7,95843657




                          7,95843657







                          • 7





                            It would be more effective to say outright "No, I can't help". Firstly, it's actually saying the word "no", which (as you say) is needed. Secondly, giving reasons why the OP can't help encourages his former employer to try and find solutions to those reasons, e.g. offering to pay, which is not the desired outcome. Just say "no", nothing more.

                            – BittermanAndy
                            yesterday












                          • 7





                            It would be more effective to say outright "No, I can't help". Firstly, it's actually saying the word "no", which (as you say) is needed. Secondly, giving reasons why the OP can't help encourages his former employer to try and find solutions to those reasons, e.g. offering to pay, which is not the desired outcome. Just say "no", nothing more.

                            – BittermanAndy
                            yesterday







                          7




                          7





                          It would be more effective to say outright "No, I can't help". Firstly, it's actually saying the word "no", which (as you say) is needed. Secondly, giving reasons why the OP can't help encourages his former employer to try and find solutions to those reasons, e.g. offering to pay, which is not the desired outcome. Just say "no", nothing more.

                          – BittermanAndy
                          yesterday





                          It would be more effective to say outright "No, I can't help". Firstly, it's actually saying the word "no", which (as you say) is needed. Secondly, giving reasons why the OP can't help encourages his former employer to try and find solutions to those reasons, e.g. offering to pay, which is not the desired outcome. Just say "no", nothing more.

                          – BittermanAndy
                          yesterday











                          2














                          The other answers talk about different ways to essentially either tell them "no" or to threaten them directly either with billing or no-contact orders.



                          I think the simplest way is to just stop answering their questions. By answering their questions in the past you've essentially implied to them that its okay to bug you with questions because you've been helping them out for all this time.



                          Stop responding to their calls/texts/messages/whatever. If you ignore them and the volume of contact increases or does not go away- then it turns into harassment and you will have to consider either blocking them or taking further actions to prevent them from bothering you during work.






                          share|improve this answer



























                            2














                            The other answers talk about different ways to essentially either tell them "no" or to threaten them directly either with billing or no-contact orders.



                            I think the simplest way is to just stop answering their questions. By answering their questions in the past you've essentially implied to them that its okay to bug you with questions because you've been helping them out for all this time.



                            Stop responding to their calls/texts/messages/whatever. If you ignore them and the volume of contact increases or does not go away- then it turns into harassment and you will have to consider either blocking them or taking further actions to prevent them from bothering you during work.






                            share|improve this answer

























                              2












                              2








                              2







                              The other answers talk about different ways to essentially either tell them "no" or to threaten them directly either with billing or no-contact orders.



                              I think the simplest way is to just stop answering their questions. By answering their questions in the past you've essentially implied to them that its okay to bug you with questions because you've been helping them out for all this time.



                              Stop responding to their calls/texts/messages/whatever. If you ignore them and the volume of contact increases or does not go away- then it turns into harassment and you will have to consider either blocking them or taking further actions to prevent them from bothering you during work.






                              share|improve this answer













                              The other answers talk about different ways to essentially either tell them "no" or to threaten them directly either with billing or no-contact orders.



                              I think the simplest way is to just stop answering their questions. By answering their questions in the past you've essentially implied to them that its okay to bug you with questions because you've been helping them out for all this time.



                              Stop responding to their calls/texts/messages/whatever. If you ignore them and the volume of contact increases or does not go away- then it turns into harassment and you will have to consider either blocking them or taking further actions to prevent them from bothering you during work.







                              share|improve this answer












                              share|improve this answer



                              share|improve this answer










                              answered yesterday









                              chevybowchevybow

                              1713




                              1713





















                                  1














                                  Literally stop answering the phone to them.



                                  That's it.






                                  share|improve this answer


















                                  • 6





                                    This is a valid approach, although it is already suggested in other answers... mind enhancing yours?

                                    – DarkCygnus
                                    21 hours ago






                                  • 2





                                    @DarkCygnus Its brevity is the point. My intention is to show how abundantly simple this is!

                                    – Lightness Races in Orbit
                                    11 hours ago











                                  • @LightnessRacesinOrbit the accepted answer is the same thing with explanation.

                                    – Captain Man
                                    2 hours ago











                                  • @CaptainMan I'm aware of that. But the explanation is not necessary. This is somewhat tongue in cheek of course.

                                    – Lightness Races in Orbit
                                    2 hours ago
















                                  1














                                  Literally stop answering the phone to them.



                                  That's it.






                                  share|improve this answer


















                                  • 6





                                    This is a valid approach, although it is already suggested in other answers... mind enhancing yours?

                                    – DarkCygnus
                                    21 hours ago






                                  • 2





                                    @DarkCygnus Its brevity is the point. My intention is to show how abundantly simple this is!

                                    – Lightness Races in Orbit
                                    11 hours ago











                                  • @LightnessRacesinOrbit the accepted answer is the same thing with explanation.

                                    – Captain Man
                                    2 hours ago











                                  • @CaptainMan I'm aware of that. But the explanation is not necessary. This is somewhat tongue in cheek of course.

                                    – Lightness Races in Orbit
                                    2 hours ago














                                  1












                                  1








                                  1







                                  Literally stop answering the phone to them.



                                  That's it.






                                  share|improve this answer













                                  Literally stop answering the phone to them.



                                  That's it.







                                  share|improve this answer












                                  share|improve this answer



                                  share|improve this answer










                                  answered 21 hours ago









                                  Lightness Races in OrbitLightness Races in Orbit

                                  9,77941938




                                  9,77941938







                                  • 6





                                    This is a valid approach, although it is already suggested in other answers... mind enhancing yours?

                                    – DarkCygnus
                                    21 hours ago






                                  • 2





                                    @DarkCygnus Its brevity is the point. My intention is to show how abundantly simple this is!

                                    – Lightness Races in Orbit
                                    11 hours ago











                                  • @LightnessRacesinOrbit the accepted answer is the same thing with explanation.

                                    – Captain Man
                                    2 hours ago











                                  • @CaptainMan I'm aware of that. But the explanation is not necessary. This is somewhat tongue in cheek of course.

                                    – Lightness Races in Orbit
                                    2 hours ago













                                  • 6





                                    This is a valid approach, although it is already suggested in other answers... mind enhancing yours?

                                    – DarkCygnus
                                    21 hours ago






                                  • 2





                                    @DarkCygnus Its brevity is the point. My intention is to show how abundantly simple this is!

                                    – Lightness Races in Orbit
                                    11 hours ago











                                  • @LightnessRacesinOrbit the accepted answer is the same thing with explanation.

                                    – Captain Man
                                    2 hours ago











                                  • @CaptainMan I'm aware of that. But the explanation is not necessary. This is somewhat tongue in cheek of course.

                                    – Lightness Races in Orbit
                                    2 hours ago








                                  6




                                  6





                                  This is a valid approach, although it is already suggested in other answers... mind enhancing yours?

                                  – DarkCygnus
                                  21 hours ago





                                  This is a valid approach, although it is already suggested in other answers... mind enhancing yours?

                                  – DarkCygnus
                                  21 hours ago




                                  2




                                  2





                                  @DarkCygnus Its brevity is the point. My intention is to show how abundantly simple this is!

                                  – Lightness Races in Orbit
                                  11 hours ago





                                  @DarkCygnus Its brevity is the point. My intention is to show how abundantly simple this is!

                                  – Lightness Races in Orbit
                                  11 hours ago













                                  @LightnessRacesinOrbit the accepted answer is the same thing with explanation.

                                  – Captain Man
                                  2 hours ago





                                  @LightnessRacesinOrbit the accepted answer is the same thing with explanation.

                                  – Captain Man
                                  2 hours ago













                                  @CaptainMan I'm aware of that. But the explanation is not necessary. This is somewhat tongue in cheek of course.

                                  – Lightness Races in Orbit
                                  2 hours ago






                                  @CaptainMan I'm aware of that. But the explanation is not necessary. This is somewhat tongue in cheek of course.

                                  – Lightness Races in Orbit
                                  2 hours ago












                                  1














                                  I'd contact the former boss/manager and explain that you're no longer working for that company and you wouldn't like to be called to help.

                                  If you receive any more calls after that, send them an invoice of your consulting services.






                                  share|improve this answer





























                                    1














                                    I'd contact the former boss/manager and explain that you're no longer working for that company and you wouldn't like to be called to help.

                                    If you receive any more calls after that, send them an invoice of your consulting services.






                                    share|improve this answer



























                                      1












                                      1








                                      1







                                      I'd contact the former boss/manager and explain that you're no longer working for that company and you wouldn't like to be called to help.

                                      If you receive any more calls after that, send them an invoice of your consulting services.






                                      share|improve this answer















                                      I'd contact the former boss/manager and explain that you're no longer working for that company and you wouldn't like to be called to help.

                                      If you receive any more calls after that, send them an invoice of your consulting services.







                                      share|improve this answer














                                      share|improve this answer



                                      share|improve this answer








                                      edited 12 hours ago

























                                      answered 12 hours ago









                                      Pedro LobitoPedro Lobito

                                      45027




                                      45027















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