A now-viral Reddit post has put the spotlight on what happens when companies ask ex-employees to pitch in after their exit.
The employee revealed that days after submitting resignation and wrapping up the handover, their manager messaged asking for “just a little help” with unfinished work. The timing left the person torn between being professional and protecting their own time.
The post, shared on the Indian Workplace forum, triggered an avalanche of responses. Most users were unanimous: decline. “Notice period is notice period. After that, you’re a civilian,” one comment read. Others warned that agreeing to help sets a dangerous precedent and often leads to endless follow-ups without pay.
Commenters also flagged how frequent these requests have become. Several shared stories of former employers calling for bug fixes, client explanations, or document clarifications weeks after full and final settlement. The common thread: poor documentation and zero succession planning inside teams.
Career advisors in the thread suggested a middle path if the employee genuinely wants to assist. Treat it like freelance work. Quote an hourly rate, sign a basic agreement, and invoice it. “Goodwill shouldn’t equal free labour,” one user noted.
Human resource professionals chimed in too, saying companies cannot force former staff to work. Any post-exit support is voluntary, and should be compensated if it involves real effort. They also urged organisations to build better exit processes so teams aren’t left scrambling.
The internet’s verdict was clear. Be courteous but firm. Your job ended when your last day did.
