>I have an ethical dilemma. I just finished a project for a consulting firm. During the project I did 90% of the work and built up a good rapport with the client. Now that the project has been completed, the client is asking me to work directly with them on various small tasks without going through the consulting firm. I didn’t sign a contract with the consulting firm so there is no legal reason that I couldn’t work directly with the client.
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>Should I do the work? If so, should I wait a period of time? Inform the consulting firm???

Gerry;

You should not have to ask anyone about ethics. Either you have them or you do not. That is up to you and no one should be allowed to tell you what to do. You have to look yourself in the mirror. Will your decision allow you to sleep at night? Only you know the answer to that.

That having been said, please forgive me for my own thoughts.

I would at least talk to both parties (consulting firm and client) to discuss this question in detail. You might gain nothing more than self respect, as you do not know how either party may react to your being honest. I have seen many honest people hurt for being open but it is the way I was raised.

Now you could gain the respect or disdain of one or both parties. Should that be the case I would be inclined to feel that I would rather not have a relationship with them. Then again you could be a winner and have approval with both parties and future business with them. Only approaching this subject will give you the answer as all else is subjective at this point.

Let us know what happens.

Tom