...to contact a former client and tell them the truth?

[MackerelOfFact]

I left a job I hated a couple of months back, after working there for just six months. The overwhelming workload, office environment, bad management, cutting corners, lack of resources, unpaid overtime, pressure, unrealistic expectations and lack of support all contributed to making it the worst job I have ever had. I often thought about walking out because I felt constantly sick with anxiety and stress, but managed to hold on until I got a better job (which I love).

My job was basically to deliver a rolling project for one major client, by myself. The client are an organisation that mainly exists to protect and campaign for better working conditions within a particular sector. However I was constantly being pulled onto other projects and the actual time I was able to spend on my main job got less and less.

In the last couple of weeks, my successor and the rest of the team (working on different projects/clients but under the same management) have all walked out for the same reasons I left.

When I resigned, I glossed over the real reason for leaving with the client, to protect the relationship between the company and the client. The client weren't aware of the corner-cutting, the under-staffing, or the fact that I was being pulled into lots of other projects aside from theirs, which was detracting from what I could deliver to them. To them, I guess I may have looked a little incompetent or flakey.

However, I know that my successor has been completely honest with them about the reasons she resigned. I really want to back her up and contact them too, but I know it would probably result in my old company losing their business (they're an organisation who support workers' rights, after all). I am worried that I'll either look like a bitter ex-employee, or that the company could sue me for slander or something.

The client are a useful contact in my current job (not financially) and it would be good to clear my name.

WIBU? WWYD? Should I just leave it alone?

Yes I would just leave it alone. What will you achieve by contacting the customer now anyway? It will make you out to be bitter towards your ex-company.

I guess I hope to a) clear my name, as they are a useful contact, and b) to let them know that the company they are giving money to has completely opposing values to them.

It's too late. Your chance to tell them the truth was when you left. Going back to them with this information now risks you looking bitter, as well as any legal implications with your old company, and it won't clear your name because the client will know that you originally lied to them. They may understand why, but they aren't likely to want to work with you again, regardless.

If it matters to the client, and hopefully it will, they will investigate your successor's claims and validate it themselves. They will probably then reach the conclusion that the high staff turnover on the project is due to this issue, and in a roundabout way, work out that it's probably why you left too.

From your point of view, you had your chance when you left and there's no value in swerving back to tell them the truth now. Leave it be and move on.

Can you contact one of them them for a catch up, meet for a coffee and when they mention that Sally has left, just say 'I couldn't possibly comment on internal politics but lets just say that I wasn't allowed to give your project my full attention and that's why I couldn't continue any further in the role as that's not my way of working'.

Leave well alone.

I wouldn't make a point of it but if you happen to see someone from the company or are in contact with them then I would mention it, if only to make it clear that a/your old employer has different values that theirs, and b/ to clear your name.

They will be aware, particularly since your successor has been honest about the reasons. You will just be seen as more discrete which may be considered more professional.

Mackerel, you need to think clearly about this.

On the one hand you want to let them know that your old company is abusing its staff.
On the other hand, you feel you weren't as honest as the last employee who left, and you say you want to back her up.

Why do you want to back her up? Has she asked you to do this?
Why do you feel the need to contact the client and "speak the truth" when the client hasn't asked for your opinion.

This all strikes me that you like to be well thought of, and who doesn't?
But offering a bad word to clients who haven't asked for any opinion from you strikes me as a bit under thought out and desperate tbh.

Why do you need to "clear your name"? What crime did you commit?
Do you want to be seen as "the good girl" in other situations?
Do you normally have such rigidly black and white thinking?

My gut reaction is to leave sleeping dogs lie, and to concentrate on your own life and new job.

The time for whistle blowing is past, if you feel you could have "done better" at telling the truth to the client, just make a note of this and don't be shy in future if you have absolute security being blunt won't come back to bite you in the bum.

Telling the truth isn't black and white affair- you don't always have to blurt out the end spectrum of events for people to get the idea of what you're saying. Maybe this client knows very well about the company and has put two and two together why you left.

But in the meantime I'd get on with my new job, and drop it.
Life is short.

God yes. Win win - they know the reason but you haven't done anything wrong. I would contact with a proposal to do the project if your contract allows instead.

In any case you should never do anything that makes you look spiteful - it's astonishing how old colleagues or contractors can reappear as clients years down the line.

I wouldn't, you had the chance when you left. In fact if you come along now and had to tell me this, as a client I would think it's very unprofessional of you and question why you were doing it now. It's not your business in any case

No. They'll know by now anyway - you left after only 6 months and then your successor clearly left very soon afterwards too, telling them why. They'll put 2+2 together.

By all means contact them for a catch up and make an informal bid for the work in your new job.

But to get in touch to months afterwards to somehow 'clear your name' and 'back up' your successor is absolutely bonkers. They don't care. They've enough to worry about. They just want the work done well/cost effectively. Sorry if this sounds harsh, but your personal journey is of no interest to them.

Your own reputation will have been made or lost already. Sounds like they have reason to be disappointed with the work your previous company was doing. If they liked working with you, it's a chance to win business for your new company.

It's a professional relationship. Keep it that way.

Have you checked the terms of your employment contract with previous employer?

There may be a 'no bad mouthing' type commitment in there. I have seen them in contracts before.

I wouldn't do this - whatever the truth you risk it reflecting badly on you.

If your successor told the client the truth, then I'm sure the client have already assumed you left for the same reason. I'm sure it'll be fairly obvious to them. It's not necessary to "clear your name" because your successor has already more or less done that for you.

Thanks all. I have no financial/business interest in the former client at all. Any further contact would be in the context of linking them up, as an NGO, with the NGO I now work for to possibly work together to campaign for a shared policy change I know they both want to see happen (and think they could probably get if they put their joint weight behind it).

I completely accept that it might seem a bit dishonest and disingenuous to go back to them again now.

If in doubt say now't is a pretty good old English saying that holds true in many contexts including this. Also check any contract terms as they might prevent your contacting the client on confidentiality or other grounds. Read the terms with a fine tooth comb before contacting the client.