Ethical Question
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- abizzyman
I left my studio job around 5 months ago to venture out on my own. Things have been great since I made the decision.
I still have a fantastic relationship w/the studio that I left. The old boss is actually using me on some multimedia projects right now - and paying a very nice freelance rate.
Here's my dilemma. One of my old bosses clients has gone around him and contacted me to do their new website. If I'm going to do this -
1.) I'll make a nice fee,
2.) It'll be HUGE in my portfolio (very prestigious client)...the problem is that I still have a great relationship and still WORK for the old boss... but he has no clue that his client has gone around him to me.
Do I take the job and keep my mouth shut?... or do I tell him that the client came directly to me?
I'm lost - cuz I could have a great new client - but also perhaps lose another client / friend in the process.
*sigh
- gruntt0
Either discuss it with old boss or turn down the project all together.
it's the only respectable thing to do.
good luck.
- rasko40
tricky, I'd tell them they seeked you out and asked you specifically for this project and you cant turn it down, you've been gone long enough anyway and people have to respect competition.
If he gets arsey then he's peobably gay, which is his wifes loss.
- rasko40
if you consider your boss a friend aswell then I guess you have to guage his reaction and feelings about it and then make your decision.
- reaction0
if he's more than an old workmate I would tell him the cliƫnt asked you specifically for the job. You've been mature enough to discuss this. And like Rasko4 said, people need to respect competition. Some people fit better than others on a certain project, so if your old boss respects you too, he would help you out with this problem.
- gruntt0
buy your old boss a bottle of nice champange with a note that says "congratulations! i took that big ol' pain of a client off of your hands! - love, abizzyman"
- fugged0
Just explain to him that they came to you and you can't pass it up. Just be honest with him. If he gets weird about it maybe he's not that great of a friend (?)
- reaction0
rasko found some time again to stay off the work :)
- cucumbrrr0
I tend to agree, I think you have to at least say something. Even if he does get angry for whatever reason, he would be even more angry if he found out later down the line. However it is business, so if he is a jerk about it you just have to say too bad and take the project.
- Clear0
well I guess it would be a simple answer if your old boss was a prick...
Just remember, you're freelancing and business is business. If you need this project, TAKE IT. Remember the reason you're working and not at home playing video games is 'cus you need money to pay the bills.
(sorry i've been screwed over a few time recently by old bosses and I'm all about taking care of "number one" right now)
- jevad0
screw them before they screw you mate - because it will happen sooner or later....
- BonSeff0
that's a tough one man.
you wanna have a good relationship with the studio...
but if the client goes through the studio- you end up getting paid way less and not credited for the work.id tell the studio the client contacted you and you are gonna take the gig. if the studio has a problem with it, that's biniss..
it would be different if you were headhunting their clients, but that is not the case. the client prolly realized you were the talent and eliminated the middle man.
again tho, its a tough one.
- robotron3k0
rasko is right, now that you are on your own, you are your own company, CD, whatever, you actually can go toe to toe with the big boys. or in this case your own ex-boss.
- Petter0
Numerous design firms (if not most) got their start in just that way. At least you didn't approach the client, they came to you.
- ronaldo0
it's a dog eat dog world, and you've got bigger teeth than them.
:P
- mayo0
I'd tell your old boss about it, bizzy. If for no other reason than respect. If he found out on his own, trust is lost (which sucks if you're still friends, too) and possibly any work that he may send your way. Also, if later on down the road, things get slow for you again, I'm sure he'd help you out with a little work if he could. I don't know about you, but i can't see any of our clients trying to come up with something for us to do if we get a little slow.
- Mimio0
Bring your old boss in on the job.
- mayo0
I'd be willing to bet that he may have figured something like this would happen. He's well aware of your talent and that you get along really well with people. He has probably thought that a client or two that you've worked with would go directly to you if and when you left. Just be upfront and honest about it and then you have nothing to hide or be ashamed of.
- 2cent0
i suggest telling the old boss and go from there... no doubt he won't be happy but thats not your problem or fault. its then his job to make amends with the client or move on.
burnt bridges are hard to cross back over.
- lilbabyarm0
you must NOT take the job until you clear it with your boss. in fact you must tell the client that you dont feel right taking it unless your boss is okay with it.
what will happen is your boss will respect your loyalty and still give you business because he trusts you. and secondly he wont dis-allow you from doing the job because that would be percieved as a hater move by both you and the client and he wouldn't be able to retain either.
- ozhanlion0
if you had a client that you were working as a freelance and then you found out that they try to negotiate with your old boss would he do the same thing or not ?
I think if he is your boss he is your boss anyway. One day will come and he will kick your arse when he finds a better worker for himself.