To think I’ve been more than fair here and to tell him to eff off

[bagpuss90]

Okay I’ve worked free lance for this guy for around 15 years. We’ve had our ups and downs but generally have a good working relationship . I also do work for other people . Note free lance - so I’m self employed . My DP is retired and I turned 60 in January. I’ve decided to take early retirement . Maybe do a little bit of work now and then. We want some quality time together - he had a health scare last year. I don’t have to give this guy I do work for any notice at all- but out of courtesy I’ve told him that I won’t be doing anymore work for him from July. So he has just over three months to find someone else. I’ve had abusive texts - calling me selfish and unreliable. Telling me I’ve left him in the shit. I think I’ve been more than fair. I’m tempted to tell him I won’t be doing any more work as of like now . I wouldn’t send my hairdresser or plumber of whoever abusive texts if they told me they were retiring .

Yes tell him to do one. If you're retiring it's not as though he can ruin your future jobs prospects.

If you can manage financially then I would reply telling him that you weren’t taking any more work from him because of his response. Too many bosses get away with being arseholes because the people working for them can’t risk losing their jobs, you are in a position to be perfectly honest with him.

Abusive texts are never ok. Sad that it has to end like this but just walk away now if you're in a position to.

I think you should tell him that you will no longer be offering your services with immediate effect due to his abusive messages.

Absolutely tell him to do one. What a total arse.

Congratulations on your retirement, like is too short to waste on people like that.

AdaFuckingShelby - Yes it iis sad it has to end like this

Enjoy your early retirement even earlier 👍
I'd probably be really sarcastic and reply that you appreciate his kind words on your hard work and dedication throughout the years and you will pass on his best wishes to your husband for his full recovery

Yes if you can afford to stop working for him now I’d be texting back and saying ‘no this is what leaving you in the lurch looks like, goodbye’ 🙋

and saying you’re glad he’s got so many alternative options for getting the work done he can afford to be a dick to contractor/suppliers. Thank god he’s not reliant on you! 😉

What a ridiculous waste of his own time sending these messages to you.
He could have put that effort into looking for someone else but preferred to try and get you to change your decision to retire to suit his business needs.
What a massive bell end

Leave him in the lurch and enjoy living your life how you choose, he doesn’t deserve any consideration. Who does he think he is!

Text back:let’s play a game of fuck off. You go first!

I think you have to take it as a compliment, you are very valuable to him indeed.

But how nasty of him to be like this to you.

If you're happy to retire immediately (at least from him) then I would tell him where to go. He has ruined the relationship, not you.

I would send him an email telling him his actions are baffling to you as you are not in any contract and did this out of friendly courtesy .
Wish him well in his future business and then block.

I’d reply saying that you gave adequate notice of your retirement but since receipt of rude messages, you feel the business relationship is now untenable and not to contact you again.

Once you say don’t contact and he does, you can keep records in case this turns into harassment.

Not a chance would I even finish my current projects. Block his number the selfish arse.

Wow, what a horrible person. I personally wouldn't be able to work for someone who to me like that for a further 3 months.

What an entitled tosser

I cannot understand the thought process of thinking that you would WANT to continue working for him after a brag of abuse. He must be punishing you.

As much as I would be tempted to tell to go and swing , if you are still planning on working for others it is probably best not to be rude , word gets around and others will only hear his side of the story

I would email him saying something along the lines ;

I am not under any contract with you or obligation to to give you any notice whatsoever but as we have worked together for so long I though giving you three months to find someone else would be a nice gesture.
However you obviously do not agree with this and I now feel that the working relationship is ruined so I withdraw my offer to work with you for a further three months . and will no longer be accepting any work from you from xxx date forward .

Include screen shots of the text you sent to him and his reply .
If he tries wheedling his way back in tell him you a very happily retired now and wont be working anymore .

If you know anyone that is in the same line of work as you as a freelancer warm them about him !

I’d do as a PP poster said, reply with sarcasm and withdraw services effective immediately.

‘Thank you for your ‘kind words’, I am pleased to know I have been of help to you over the years. Due to your recent messages I will be withdrawing my services effective immediately/insert date’

(and also telling any industry friends about your behaviour....) 😂

Is there anyone more senior to him that you could send a screenshot of the messages to, to ensure that he doesn’t go around the business/industry bad mouthing you with his version of events?

We take a very dim view of people who treat external contacts like this, we would investigate and potentially discipline for the inappropriate behaviour and comments.

@VictoriaBun

I would send him an email telling him his actions are baffling to you as you are not in any contract and did this out of friendly courtesy . Wish him well in his future business and then block.

I would send this. But replace 'friendly' with 'professional'.

Well, this sounds to me like a man who has probably been underpaying you massively and is therefore shit scared that once you leave his profits will go down substantially. Because I've never ever seen a situation where 3 months is considered too short. I can imagine a situation where, for example, you've just spent the last three months working together to pitch for some giant new piece of work and now you're off, but I assume that's extremely unlikely?

I'm sorry he's acting so badly.

Tell him the head's up was a courtesy in light of how long he's been a client, but that his abuse is wholly uncalled for, and that due to his reaction you will finish whatever current projects you are working on for him (that payment has been agreed on) and then that will be it. No more July deadline.

Too many people think they can treat freelancers like the stuff under their shoe. Fuck that.

You never know how your circumstances may change. If I could afford to lose his work now I would say so am sorry you feel this way. I have enjoyed working with you until he last, and gave notice as a courtesy. Your emails have made me uncomfortable continuing until June and so I am unavailable effective immediately. Sincerely....