I would love some advice!
DH has just received a round robin email from his former boss advertising the book she has just written
For a bit of background. DH worked with her, for several years (she was his line manager.) She and her brother both left there, and were asked to leave. DH continued to work there for another 5 or so years, the directors board changed a few times, and then she and her brother came back to the business and bought it out, owning 50% each.
They did a huge sweep of the workplace, changing roles and revamping. Most of the staff were ad hoc or freelance, so they were able to make instant changes. My DH was the only staff member on a contract, but at the time of the changes, they hadn’t realised this. They wanted to alter everything about his job – hours / core role / location – it was ludicrous and completely untenable.
Anyway, plenty of unreasonable changes led to unions getting involved and eventually, after almost 8 months of negotiations and on legal advice, DH threatened to sue them for breach of contract. Their lawyer suggested that they offer him a financial deal (knowing full well they would lose in court) and DH received a hefty pay out and substantial gardening leave, with some conditions. He had to leave, of course, which really affected him as this was a career he absolutely loved, in a dwindling industry which he hasn’t been able to break back into.
We have had no contact since he left, 7 years ago.
The email he received today about the book is particularly galling, as it charts her “meteoric rise” in the industry “against all odds” – it’s basically a memoir of how brilliant she is and how she became successful.
A former colleague of DH’s has a copy of the book, and has sent us some excerpts. It mentions my DH by name several times – and actually his full name. There are also a couple of photos that he is in. It’s worth mentioning that in the earlier parts of their careers, they worked together voluntarily a good deal, and DH helped her get to “where she is” by association. She also headhunted him initially.
Most of the references are factual or just in passing, there are some interviews and anecdotes and most of them are complimentary or just mentioning him. But he hasn’t agreed to any of this – he didn’t know anything about it, and given their history, absolutely doesn’t want to be associated with her celebration autobiography. There is also a section where she talks about the buy-out and mentioned that her former friend and colleague stabbed her in the back by threatening legal action and how pleased she was that she "ousted him" from the industry. She doesn’t mention him by name here, but she refers to him specifically by job title, so it’s clear who she is talking about. She glosses over the fact that her lawyer advised her to pay him off, of course.
So – I don’t know what to do. We aren’t in a position to pay for legal advice, but surely she can’t just print this book without getting DH’s permission? I know it’s going to upset him, as he never really got over it in the first place.
Anyone have any advice? Has she acted illegally?
Post edited by MNHQ at OP's request