Help! Work Conundrum

The Coffee Shop
1

Sorry, this is long but I need some advice before I blow a gasket. I often make the wrong choices when it comes to these types of situations so I’m asking for some level-headed advice.

Here is my story…

Three years ago I made the mistake of packing up my family and moving to a relatively small city in the country. I was offered a great job and the company paid all my moving expenses. I loved the relaxed country life.

Well, this company was privately owned by a wealthy individual; coming from the corporate world I had no idea what I was getting myself into. The owner of the company was one of those people you read about who graduated from the 8th grade (uneducated) and then somehow managed to amass more money than god. He was nothing more than a grownup version of a spoiled brat, he ALWAYS got his way; I guess this is fairly common with these people. No respect for professional people (you know, people who have busted their @ss to obtain advanced degrees).

Anyway, this entrepreneur had a reputation of burning through CFOs in a matter of six months or less. I lasted three years. And it was a hellish 3 years – the company was on the verge of bankruptcy and I busted my @ss to keep them a going concern. The minute commodity prices picked up the attitude was, “thanks for your help through the hard times but don’t let the door hit you on the @ss on your way out.”

I wasn’t fired or anything but I could tell my presence at the company was no longer wanted. No big deal, with the strong economy I found a new job in 2 weeks. The problem was, it entailed moving back to the city so I had to sell my house, uproot my family, pay movers, blah, blah, blah.

The guy who took my place at the company I worked for used to work for me as the controller and I somewhat feel like he stabbed me in the back. He was really only looking out for himself but I can’t help feeling slightly betrayed.

Well, during the past 9 months this company has asked me a few questions here and there and I’ve always helped them even though I felt in no way obligated. But now, 9 months letter, I’m getting more e-mails asking for my help, free of charge mind you. Why do I owe these people anything? I can’t help feeling somewhat bitter about the way I was treated? Getting booted from this company was a big financial and emotional (mainly for my kids) drain so why am I the one who is obligated to them? And how long should I babysit them?

Honestly, what should I do?

2

Time to set up a consulting contract with them: $300/hour, minimum 2 hours per contact.

3

Time to set up a consulting contract with them: $300/hour, minimum 2 hours per contact.
To be honest, I don’t want their money, don’t want to waste my time working for them, or the hassle of having to bill them, track hours, collect payment. I just want to start a new chapter in my life. Also, there questions are stupid things that only take a few minutes to answer. I couldn’t bill them $300 for telling them where the Advanced Machinery contract is filed.

4

If you do not have a contract with them then there is no obligation to answer any questions or assist in any way. I would let them know, in no uncertains terms, that your available for advice for a fee. That or you can get ahold of the owner and ask why his controller is always asking you for advice…roll his ass in the dirt if he stabbed you in the back. Its a dog eat dog world mate and theres an old saying, “do unto others”. He did unto you so I am assuming he wants it done back unto him.

5

Wow, you are cold hearted. I like!

6

You were CFO so you can’t blow them off.

Do exactly what Ken said and ask for a retainer. Almost certainly, the questions will stop.

7

…you can get ahold of the owner and ask why his controller is always asking you for advice…roll his ass in the dirt if he stabbed you in the back.
The owner doesn’t know the first thing about computers; well, other than the fact that people turn them on an all of sudden magic reports start flowing out of them. And he keeps his phone number very private and has it changed every few months.

8

**Why do I owe these people anything? **

You don’t.

**Honestly, what should I do? **

I think Ken is correct. I would politely say that your current job is taking a lot of your time so you will need to block of a set amount of time to help them.

Tell them that due to your current work schedule, you can offer them the time for $x/hour.

I wouldn’t dismiss them but be polite and firm.

9

Tell them that due to your current work schedule, you can offer them the time for $x/hour.

I’ve thought about this approach but can’t think of any $/hour rate that would make it worth my time. Seriously, they could pay me $1,000 and I still wouldn’t want to feel obligated to them.

In the business owner’s defense; I don’t think he has a concept of what his decisions do to employees. In his mind he probably think I just went and picked up another job. I’m so sure he has no idea that I paid a relator $xx,xxx to sell my house and movers $xx,xxx to move my sh*t and $x,xxx in toys to get the kids to stop complaining about leaving their friends. Even if he did know all this, $xx,xxx is not the same to him as it is to me.

10

In the business owner’s defense; I don’t think he has a concept of what his decisions do to employees. In his mind he probably think I just went and picked up another job. I’m so sure he has no idea that I paid a relator $xx,xxx to sell my house and movers $xx,xxx to move my sh*t and $x,xxx in toys to get the kids to stop complaining about leaving their friends. Even if he did know all this, $xx,xxx is not the same to him as it is to me.

Maybe you should explain all that to him and see what he says.

11

Maybe you should explain all that to him and see what he says.
Why waste my time? It is not my job to educate him on the woes of the middle class. I want to move forward and let him wallow in his own mistakes. I benefit none when he takes a good hard look in that mirror.

12

It is not my job to educate him on the woes of the middle class. I want to move forward and let him wallow in his own mistakes.

It appears you have now answered your original question.

See, sometimes it helps to talk things through, at least that’s what my wife keeps trying to tell me.

13

Yeah, he changes his number for good reason. Do a bit of searching though and theres always a way to find someone if you really want to. A retainer is the next best thing unless…you just send them a bill for the questions already answered. Make it super high and with a short explaination and have no doubt, the owner will find out about it. BAM, you just rolled the guy and maybe, (doubtful) just maybe, you’ll get a check.

14

No but you could bill them 600.00 for telling them where something is filed. You do not owe this company shit and from the sounds of it, they used you and threw you out. Take it to them where it hurts, the pocketbook. refuse to answer any questions at all and regardless if you were the CFO or not, your not anymore.

15

Heres the solution. Ask him to not call you anymore. (in a polite way) and then if the ever do again, slap a restraining order on the entire company for harassment and include the owners name and last known address. Have no doubt you would be getting even and have the last laugh. Then the SOB also has a history behind him for this type of thing and it will make it easier for an employee to sue his ass in the future if needed. Just my 2 cents.

PS- in case anyone from this forum ever wants to hire me, these are purly hypothetical. :slight_smile:

16

I’m now 100% convinced that any problem can be resolved by posting it on a public forum.

17

**I’m now 100% convinced that any problem can be resolved by posting it on a public forum. **

and by hiring crikey.

18

Thanks…I think. :slight_smile:

19

Feel free to send me part of the money you get for the consulting. :slight_smile:

20

Let me summarize; You were fired, you got a new job, the old job keeps calling, you want nothing to do with them, do not want there money, do not want to talk to them.

Well it seems you have your own answer, when they call, say I dont work there anymore and hang up, or just hang up. Done.

Really was it that hard to figure out?