help very nasty ex boss

LITTLEMISSFLOWER

I left my job in floral design 8 weeks ago and started my own business, which is going well. But I have a big problem when I left my job my boss wrote me a letter telling me that if I contact any of her clients she would take legal action. I have not been near her clients but another ex member of staff has and has taken some of her contracts. But my ex boss thinks it’s me and is now following me and bad mouthing me to suppliers. Which lucky im very well liked and ex boss is not or it could put me out of business, as supplier is old fashioned and work on trust.
What should I do? I thought I would be able to forget about that nutter when I left.
Also a number of her client have contacted me but being the nice person I am I turned them down so there was no come back on me. But I wish I hadn’t now as she is stalking me anyway.
I believe that if a client contacts me there is nothing she can do legally as I haven’t contacted them. Is this true?

going2die_rich

If a past customer contacts you you shouldn't turn the work away. I am sure if it came down to it they would gladly write a letter saying the contacted you not the other way round. Therefore giving her no grounds to stand on for taking her clients.

You may have grounds for slander since your ex boss is bringing into question your business and your name.

However if an ex boss had bad mouthed me I'd be looking to bankrupt them. I am sure you can easily find under hand ways to take her clients off her and ruin her. She deserves nothing less if she is harassing you. You know where your customers are so advertise in a way to catch their attention then when they contact you it's a contact iniated by them and not you so you aren't in the wrong.

P123_2

Dont worry about it, if her contacts want to come to you dont ever turn them back. At the end of the day its there choice where they want to do business she sounds like a crank, forget about her and try rob all her contacts.

r.mac_2

I am sorry to hear about your situation. Your boss sound a very bitter person.

Your boss is only allowed to impose such sanctions upon you if they were written into your contract of employment. usually called a 'gardening clause'. If it wasn't in teh original t&c's then even if you did contact your previous clients then you would be within your rights to do so.

Alternatively, what your boss is currently doinga mounts to defamation. I would be tempted to write a letter to him/her explaining that you are considering taking legal action against them should their actions continue.

Most of all remember - you havn't done anything wrong. Kepp that moral high ground and don't stoop to your bosses levels!!!

Keep us posted.

motorguy

LITTLEMISSFLOWER wrote:

I left my job in floral design 8 weeks ago and started my own business, which is going well. But I have a big problem when I left my job my boss wrote me a letter telling me that if I contact any of her clients she would take legal action. I have not been near her clients but another ex member of staff has and has taken some of her contracts. But my ex boss thinks it’s me and is now following me and bad mouthing me to suppliers. Which lucky im very well liked and ex boss is not or it could put me out of business, as supplier is old fashioned and work on trust.
What should I do? I thought I would be able to forget about that nutter when I left.
Also a number of her client have contacted me but being the nice person I am I turned them down so there was no come back on me. But I wish I hadn’t now as she is stalking me anyway.
I believe that if a client contacts me there is nothing she can do legally as I haven’t contacted them. Is this true?

Business is business. if you are offering a better service and / or a better price, then customers have the right to chose who to buy from.

Believe me, its a dog eat dog world....

Sam_Bee

Am I also right in saying that you can contact people at will unless you specifically had something written into your contract?

I would personally recommend trying a legal forum on something like http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/ because I'm sure some of the legal eagles would offer some free advice.

I think she's just worried you'll put her out of business, because you're obviously brighter and more talented than she is.

L_D_N

I agree with the others - if it wasn't in your contract of employment then there is nothing your ex boss can do. After all, when hairdressers are poached it is usually on understanding they will bring clients with them. It's just the way of the world.

You are doing the right thing by not entering into a slanging match and by not doing any bad mouthing yourself - you will come out on top in the end.

Well done on making your own business a success - not an easy task these days!

LITTLEMISSFLOWER

thanks to everyone. i must say i feel so much better not going down to her level. im holding my head high and i can see its !!!!ing her off(i see her everyday at the suppliers) if this was a few years ago things would be very diffrent i had a really bad temper and would of hit her or worse. but that only makes you feel better for a few mins this is make me feel good for a lot longer.lol

DGX

I assume you had nothing special written into your contract to prevent you setting up a similar business in opposition to the one that you have just left?


I also assume that when you left the company, you should did not takeany document belonging to them which you could use for your own benefit (client lists, price lists, supplier lists, etc)


Provided you havent done that (and I'm sure you havent), and provided there was nothing specific written into your contract, I dont think your ex-boss could prevent you from setting up your own business in the same industry/field as I THINK this could be classed as "restraint of trade"

You're a free agent now, with no connection or loyalty to your ex-boss, so if your ex-clients contact YOU, then I cant see anything to stop you doing business with them. Business is business.


Let your ex-boss make a fool of him/herself, and dont let it worry you

However, the moment they start affecting the setting up and running of your business (eg loss of a contract), then I would advise contacting his/her boss via a solicitor's letter to say that you dont welcome the attention from him/her


Good luck with your new business venture
I hope it's as successful as I'm trying to get mine to become

ukbill69

Nick there customers, dont care, let your ex boss take your to court, its the clients choice to come to you.

lday77

Your ex boss must be very worried to go to those extremes! Take it as a compliment! Don't turn any work away because if it wasn't in your initial contract then she won't have a leg to stand on. She sounds a bit deranged! Don't let it affect how you work or behave with suppliers or customers be the professional that you are and rise above it.