What if a client contacts me personally for freelance?
I recently resigned from my job and want to freelance. One of our old clients contacted me directly on LinkedIn and asked if I wanted to do some work for them. I don’t think I’m breaking any contracts since they approached me. What are the risks here? Is it morally bad? Also. How would you guys do if you wanted to market yourself? My entire network is on LinkedIn but if I start posting there my old employer (a small business) will see that as if I’m trying to tap into their clients. Any views?
It's all About your non-compete. This is where legal can really bite you in the ass.
"It's just business" is very real. Unless your former employer ran like a family business, they're probably not worth doing "the right thing" for. Less tangible when you know the owner at small companies personally, but even then, think about what TC they (hope) to take home vs what they will ever share with their early employees. You two signed an employer-agent contract instead of a partner one for a reason, and that's to not owe each other any more than that. If the clients are reaching out to you themselves and you can deliver, do it.
Did you sign a non compete?
I’m not allowed to directly contact my old clients with the intention of selling my services to them within 1 year of resignation. But if they contact me I am allowed to work with them.
I know that I am ALLOWED by law. But how do people and companies look at this morally? I separated with my company on a good note and don’t want to burn any bridges.