Former co-worker keeps sending me emails asking for "favors" What should I do?

Question

A former co-worker got a new job and she has been emailing me from her new job to my job about helping her with some graphic design problems. I helped her once, now she keeps emailing me for more favors. What should I do? How do I politley tell her that I dont want to help her and that its rude for her to send me assignments that she is supposed to take care of herself at her own job. Am i being selfish?

Answer 1

Selfish? Not at all, she should understand that she is conflicting with your work time and that it's not appropriate. If she doesn't then who cares if you hurt her feelings. Simply tell her that you just dont have enough time.

I had the same issue and I just ignored those emails. She eventually stopped asking for help. I guess she got the point. We still talk and that subject never comes up.  

Answer 2

you are not being selfish at all !

it sounds like she is manipulating you . tell her that you have a job to do and so does she ; and that you both need you do YOUR OWN jobs . if that doesn't work ; maybe stop answering her emails ? i hope this helps !

Answer 3

You should politely tell her that you don't want to help her and that its rude for her to send you assignments that she is suppose to take care of herself at her own job. Sound familiar?

Answer 4

Just tell her that you don't want to risk loosing your job. In my company we're not allowed to communicate to our former co-workers about job. We can still be friends, but nothing more. Graphic design - is that something that you also do for your company? If yes and you're helping your boss's competition, can you imagine in how much trouble you can get?  

My former co-worker wanted me to spy for her, I told her right off the back not to count on it. Period.  

Answer 5

If you don't want to flat out refuse, say that you don't know how to help her or that you don't have time. You are under no obligation to help her, especially if she isn't returning these favors.  

Answer 6

That's why there are spam filters. ;-)

And its a good excuse. Say "OMG, your email got routed to the spam filter." Blame IT.

Or, you can just tell her no.  

Answer 7

Tell her that your personal emails are being monitored now so she's going to have to stop asking you favors.

Answer 8

No.  Just tell her that you are swamped with your own assignments and you don't want to promise her that you will get something done and not be able to due to your own workload.  

Answer 9

NO, she should do her own work. Tell her you can't help her anymore.

Answer 10

well i think you should tell her  that you need to focuse on your job and you  wish you could help her but you need to do your job

Answer 11

tell her you that you can't help her, that you're are sorry but don't have time to help her, keep telling her the same thing over and over and she'll get the hint.

you are not being selfish as she is not returning the favors.......

if she's your friend explain it to her that you don't have time to do it, if she's not your friend just delete her emails.

Answer 12

If she is a friend then you should help her.  But, if you do not consider her to be a friend then just politely tell her you're unable to help as you're too busy with your own work.

Answer 13

If you are still friends with her, tell her you have too much on your plate as it is and cannot help her.

If you are not friends with her, there is a delete button on every email.  Feel free to use it.

Answer 14

no no no! its not your job anymore. She is getting paid for the work you are doing?? so uou could be paid for it too! Because in any case if something goes wrong, you maybe get into trouble. Say no politely, say that you already have much work to do and you dont have free time!  

Answer 15

Just say NO.

Answer 16

you are only rude if you write it like you wrote it on here. just tell her'' thank you for your mail, I am happy you like your new job. Sorry, but I got a lot to do as well, have to decline the favor.

Take care and success with your new career,

Best wishes

x*x

Answer 17

Tell her that if she feels she needs additional training to do her job, she needs to ask her employer, but before you do that, ask yourself a few questions.  Is she asking you to do her work, or is she asking a few questions that only take a few minutes of your time to answer?  If she's just asking advice or tips and tricks on how to do something, cut her some slack and be a mentor.  If she's asking you to do her work, tell her that you don't have time.  

If she's asking you to use your company's resources (such as printing things for her or using software licensing for your employer) you could get into big trouble, so you need to let her know that, and stop right away.  

Answer 18

Tell her that she needs to do the work she was hired to do.  You are not being selfish.  Sounds like she got in over her head, and she wants you to bale her out.  Yeah right.  Just don't do the favors.