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Advice on how to cancel a working relationship
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I'm currently doing free lance work for what is basically my former employer. We have no official contract signed or anything. When I left my former job we separated on good terms and I agreed verbally to help them out with freelance work if they needed it.
Now the problem is that this current project has dragged on for months when in the beginning they said it will only take a few weeks. The delays are not because of me. All of the work I was suppose to do is done already but now they want me to continue doing other stuff that is not my responsibility. My question is how do I tell them that I no longer have the time to work with them because of my current job (I'm a co-creator of a start up company). Is it ethical on my part leaving the project in its final stages if my part in it is done?
ethics freelancing
edited Jul 2 '16 at 9:31
Kilisi
94.4k50216374
asked Jul 2 '16 at 9:25
Uri Popov
1333
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
6
down vote
favorite
I'm currently doing free lance work for what is basically my former employer. We have no official contract signed or anything. When I left my former job we separated on good terms and I agreed verbally to help them out with freelance work if they needed it.
Now the problem is that this current project has dragged on for months when in the beginning they said it will only take a few weeks. The delays are not because of me. All of the work I was suppose to do is done already but now they want me to continue doing other stuff that is not my responsibility. My question is how do I tell them that I no longer have the time to work with them because of my current job (I'm a co-creator of a start up company). Is it ethical on my part leaving the project in its final stages if my part in it is done?
ethics freelancing
edited Jul 2 '16 at 9:31
Kilisi
94.4k50216374
asked Jul 2 '16 at 9:25
Uri Popov
1333
6
We have no official contract signed or anything - Never work without a contract. The situation you are in now (no idea how to terminate a contract which does not exist) is one of the lesser problematic situation it can bring you into. There are far worse situations it can cause, like making you liable for damages (no contract which says you would not be) or not getting paid (no contract which says you deserve payment).
– Philipp
Jul 2 '16 at 11:28
1
Just give them adequate notice (a couple weeks or whatever is appropriate to your work) and do it on good terms. Maybe give them some hints about how to find a replacement if this is high-skill work. There is no reason to burn bridges if you've managed this relationship so long.
– user34320
Jul 4 '16 at 6:43
I would need more details than that. Was there any verbal agreement or any emails if yes what? You wrote "months". How many? What about money? Did they pay you at all? Was it cash in hand or was it legal?
– Zsolt
Jul 22 '16 at 17:52
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
6
down vote
favorite
up vote
6
down vote
favorite
I'm currently doing free lance work for what is basically my former employer. We have no official contract signed or anything. When I left my former job we separated on good terms and I agreed verbally to help them out with freelance work if they needed it.
Now the problem is that this current project has dragged on for months when in the beginning they said it will only take a few weeks. The delays are not because of me. All of the work I was suppose to do is done already but now they want me to continue doing other stuff that is not my responsibility. My question is how do I tell them that I no longer have the time to work with them because of my current job (I'm a co-creator of a start up company). Is it ethical on my part leaving the project in its final stages if my part in it is done?
ethics freelancing
edited Jul 2 '16 at 9:31
Kilisi
94.4k50216374
asked Jul 2 '16 at 9:25
Uri Popov
1333
I'm currently doing free lance work for what is basically my former employer. We have no official contract signed or anything. When I left my former job we separated on good terms and I agreed verbally to help them out with freelance work if they needed it.
Now the problem is that this current project has dragged on for months when in the beginning they said it will only take a few weeks. The delays are not because of me. All of the work I was suppose to do is done already but now they want me to continue doing other stuff that is not my responsibility. My question is how do I tell them that I no longer have the time to work with them because of my current job (I'm a co-creator of a start up company). Is it ethical on my part leaving the project in its final stages if my part in it is done?
ethics freelancing
edited Jul 2 '16 at 9:31
Kilisi
94.4k50216374
asked Jul 2 '16 at 9:25
Uri Popov
1333
edited Jul 2 '16 at 9:31
Kilisi
94.4k50216374
edited Jul 2 '16 at 9:31
Kilisi
94.4k50216374
edited Jul 2 '16 at 9:31
Kilisi
94.4k50216374
94.4k50216374
asked Jul 2 '16 at 9:25
Uri Popov
1333
asked Jul 2 '16 at 9:25
Uri Popov
1333
asked Jul 2 '16 at 9:25
Uri Popov
1333
1333
6
We have no official contract signed or anything - Never work without a contract. The situation you are in now (no idea how to terminate a contract which does not exist) is one of the lesser problematic situation it can bring you into. There are far worse situations it can cause, like making you liable for damages (no contract which says you would not be) or not getting paid (no contract which says you deserve payment).
– Philipp
Jul 2 '16 at 11:28
1
Just give them adequate notice (a couple weeks or whatever is appropriate to your work) and do it on good terms. Maybe give them some hints about how to find a replacement if this is high-skill work. There is no reason to burn bridges if you've managed this relationship so long.
– user34320
Jul 4 '16 at 6:43
I would need more details than that. Was there any verbal agreement or any emails if yes what? You wrote "months". How many? What about money? Did they pay you at all? Was it cash in hand or was it legal?
– Zsolt
Jul 22 '16 at 17:52
suggest improvements |Â
6
We have no official contract signed or anything - Never work without a contract. The situation you are in now (no idea how to terminate a contract which does not exist) is one of the lesser problematic situation it can bring you into. There are far worse situations it can cause, like making you liable for damages (no contract which says you would not be) or not getting paid (no contract which says you deserve payment).
– Philipp
Jul 2 '16 at 11:28
1
Just give them adequate notice (a couple weeks or whatever is appropriate to your work) and do it on good terms. Maybe give them some hints about how to find a replacement if this is high-skill work. There is no reason to burn bridges if you've managed this relationship so long.
– user34320
Jul 4 '16 at 6:43
I would need more details than that. Was there any verbal agreement or any emails if yes what? You wrote "months". How many? What about money? Did they pay you at all? Was it cash in hand or was it legal?
– Zsolt
Jul 22 '16 at 17:52
6
6
We have no official contract signed or anything - Never work without a contract. The situation you are in now (no idea how to terminate a contract which does not exist) is one of the lesser problematic situation it can bring you into. There are far worse situations it can cause, like making you liable for damages (no contract which says you would not be) or not getting paid (no contract which says you deserve payment).
– Philipp
Jul 2 '16 at 11:28
We have no official contract signed or anything - Never work without a contract. The situation you are in now (no idea how to terminate a contract which does not exist) is one of the lesser problematic situation it can bring you into. There are far worse situations it can cause, like making you liable for damages (no contract which says you would not be) or not getting paid (no contract which says you deserve payment).
– Philipp
Jul 2 '16 at 11:28
1
1
Just give them adequate notice (a couple weeks or whatever is appropriate to your work) and do it on good terms. Maybe give them some hints about how to find a replacement if this is high-skill work. There is no reason to burn bridges if you've managed this relationship so long.
– user34320
Jul 4 '16 at 6:43
Just give them adequate notice (a couple weeks or whatever is appropriate to your work) and do it on good terms. Maybe give them some hints about how to find a replacement if this is high-skill work. There is no reason to burn bridges if you've managed this relationship so long.
– user34320
Jul 4 '16 at 6:43
I would need more details than that. Was there any verbal agreement or any emails if yes what? You wrote "months". How many? What about money? Did they pay you at all? Was it cash in hand or was it legal?
– Zsolt
Jul 22 '16 at 17:52
I would need more details than that. Was there any verbal agreement or any emails if yes what? You wrote "months". How many? What about money? Did they pay you at all? Was it cash in hand or was it legal?
– Zsolt
Jul 22 '16 at 17:52
suggest improvements |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
up vote
14
down vote
accepted
Is it ethical on my part leaving the project in its final stages if my part in it is done?
Yes, if you have no contract it's perfectly OK. If it interferes with your business then even more so.
You should just tell them you don't have the time anymore since you need to concentrate on your own business. If you feel bad about it, make an attempt to find them a replacement. But realistically, business is business, you have to have a bit of ruthlessness in you, and you need to put your business first. Otherwise your startup will probably fizzle out pretty quickly.
answered Jul 2 '16 at 9:35
Kilisi
94.4k50216374
1
Thanks for the advice. I just send them all the project files. I suggested a talented friend of mine who is capable of helping them and is local to their area. As a final thing to keep my mind at ease I told them I do not expect payment. This is a mistake I know.
– Uri Popov
Jul 2 '16 at 9:53
3
If you can afford to do it and it makes you feel better, it's not a mistake, it's customer relations.
– Kilisi
Jul 2 '16 at 10:02
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
-2
down vote
By exhibiting your ethical standards (which are a huge asset), I wouldn't' concern myself about not accepting payment. Your value has been added to and you've put yourself in a position to get that lost payment x10..
answered Jul 4 '16 at 6:16
frederick cummins
1
suggest improvements |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
14
down vote
accepted
Is it ethical on my part leaving the project in its final stages if my part in it is done?
Yes, if you have no contract it's perfectly OK. If it interferes with your business then even more so.
You should just tell them you don't have the time anymore since you need to concentrate on your own business. If you feel bad about it, make an attempt to find them a replacement. But realistically, business is business, you have to have a bit of ruthlessness in you, and you need to put your business first. Otherwise your startup will probably fizzle out pretty quickly.
answered Jul 2 '16 at 9:35
Kilisi
94.4k50216374
1
Thanks for the advice. I just send them all the project files. I suggested a talented friend of mine who is capable of helping them and is local to their area. As a final thing to keep my mind at ease I told them I do not expect payment. This is a mistake I know.
– Uri Popov
Jul 2 '16 at 9:53
3
If you can afford to do it and it makes you feel better, it's not a mistake, it's customer relations.
– Kilisi
Jul 2 '16 at 10:02
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
14
down vote
accepted
Is it ethical on my part leaving the project in its final stages if my part in it is done?
Yes, if you have no contract it's perfectly OK. If it interferes with your business then even more so.
You should just tell them you don't have the time anymore since you need to concentrate on your own business. If you feel bad about it, make an attempt to find them a replacement. But realistically, business is business, you have to have a bit of ruthlessness in you, and you need to put your business first. Otherwise your startup will probably fizzle out pretty quickly.
answered Jul 2 '16 at 9:35
Kilisi
94.4k50216374
1
Thanks for the advice. I just send them all the project files. I suggested a talented friend of mine who is capable of helping them and is local to their area. As a final thing to keep my mind at ease I told them I do not expect payment. This is a mistake I know.
– Uri Popov
Jul 2 '16 at 9:53
3
If you can afford to do it and it makes you feel better, it's not a mistake, it's customer relations.
– Kilisi
Jul 2 '16 at 10:02
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
14
down vote
accepted
up vote
14
down vote
accepted
Is it ethical on my part leaving the project in its final stages if my part in it is done?
Yes, if you have no contract it's perfectly OK. If it interferes with your business then even more so.
You should just tell them you don't have the time anymore since you need to concentrate on your own business. If you feel bad about it, make an attempt to find them a replacement. But realistically, business is business, you have to have a bit of ruthlessness in you, and you need to put your business first. Otherwise your startup will probably fizzle out pretty quickly.
answered Jul 2 '16 at 9:35
Kilisi
94.4k50216374
Is it ethical on my part leaving the project in its final stages if my part in it is done?
Yes, if you have no contract it's perfectly OK. If it interferes with your business then even more so.
You should just tell them you don't have the time anymore since you need to concentrate on your own business. If you feel bad about it, make an attempt to find them a replacement. But realistically, business is business, you have to have a bit of ruthlessness in you, and you need to put your business first. Otherwise your startup will probably fizzle out pretty quickly.
answered Jul 2 '16 at 9:35
Kilisi
94.4k50216374
answered Jul 2 '16 at 9:35
Kilisi
94.4k50216374
answered Jul 2 '16 at 9:35
Kilisi
94.4k50216374
answered Jul 2 '16 at 9:35
Kilisi
94.4k50216374
94.4k50216374
1
Thanks for the advice. I just send them all the project files. I suggested a talented friend of mine who is capable of helping them and is local to their area. As a final thing to keep my mind at ease I told them I do not expect payment. This is a mistake I know.
– Uri Popov
Jul 2 '16 at 9:53
3
If you can afford to do it and it makes you feel better, it's not a mistake, it's customer relations.
– Kilisi
Jul 2 '16 at 10:02
suggest improvements |Â
1
Thanks for the advice. I just send them all the project files. I suggested a talented friend of mine who is capable of helping them and is local to their area. As a final thing to keep my mind at ease I told them I do not expect payment. This is a mistake I know.
– Uri Popov
Jul 2 '16 at 9:53
3
If you can afford to do it and it makes you feel better, it's not a mistake, it's customer relations.
– Kilisi
Jul 2 '16 at 10:02
1
1
Thanks for the advice. I just send them all the project files. I suggested a talented friend of mine who is capable of helping them and is local to their area. As a final thing to keep my mind at ease I told them I do not expect payment. This is a mistake I know.
– Uri Popov
Jul 2 '16 at 9:53
Thanks for the advice. I just send them all the project files. I suggested a talented friend of mine who is capable of helping them and is local to their area. As a final thing to keep my mind at ease I told them I do not expect payment. This is a mistake I know.
– Uri Popov
Jul 2 '16 at 9:53
3
3
If you can afford to do it and it makes you feel better, it's not a mistake, it's customer relations.
– Kilisi
Jul 2 '16 at 10:02
If you can afford to do it and it makes you feel better, it's not a mistake, it's customer relations.
– Kilisi
Jul 2 '16 at 10:02
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
-2
down vote
By exhibiting your ethical standards (which are a huge asset), I wouldn't' concern myself about not accepting payment. Your value has been added to and you've put yourself in a position to get that lost payment x10..
answered Jul 4 '16 at 6:16
frederick cummins
1
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
-2
down vote
By exhibiting your ethical standards (which are a huge asset), I wouldn't' concern myself about not accepting payment. Your value has been added to and you've put yourself in a position to get that lost payment x10..
answered Jul 4 '16 at 6:16
frederick cummins
1
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
-2
down vote
up vote
-2
down vote
By exhibiting your ethical standards (which are a huge asset), I wouldn't' concern myself about not accepting payment. Your value has been added to and you've put yourself in a position to get that lost payment x10..
answered Jul 4 '16 at 6:16
frederick cummins
1
By exhibiting your ethical standards (which are a huge asset), I wouldn't' concern myself about not accepting payment. Your value has been added to and you've put yourself in a position to get that lost payment x10..
answered Jul 4 '16 at 6:16
frederick cummins
1
answered Jul 4 '16 at 6:16
frederick cummins
1
answered Jul 4 '16 at 6:16
frederick cummins
1
answered Jul 4 '16 at 6:16
frederick cummins
1
1
suggest improvements |Â
suggest improvements |Â
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6
We have no official contract signed or anything - Never work without a contract. The situation you are in now (no idea how to terminate a contract which does not exist) is one of the lesser problematic situation it can bring you into. There are far worse situations it can cause, like making you liable for damages (no contract which says you would not be) or not getting paid (no contract which says you deserve payment).
– Philipp
Jul 2 '16 at 11:28
1
Just give them adequate notice (a couple weeks or whatever is appropriate to your work) and do it on good terms. Maybe give them some hints about how to find a replacement if this is high-skill work. There is no reason to burn bridges if you've managed this relationship so long.
– user34320
Jul 4 '16 at 6:43
I would need more details than that. Was there any verbal agreement or any emails if yes what? You wrote "months". How many? What about money? Did they pay you at all? Was it cash in hand or was it legal?
– Zsolt
Jul 22 '16 at 17:52