I have a web design shop and a business partner. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) we haven’t found a need to farm anything out yet. And I’m not sure I could; I have deep control issues. And it’s hard to find someone who has a like work ethic. That’s why I’m so grateful for my partner. He is the best.

From the perspective of the esrtwhile employee, I guess once you pull a stunt like that, it’s hard to face someone. That was a very cowardly thing to do. Had she been a secretary in a law firm, she would likely have been terminated nearly immediately. (This is tantamount to not calling in sick for days, weeks.) And that blot would be on her employment record. What kind of checks and balances are in place for freelancers like that? Someone else mentioned that they’d also been burned. Interesting.

Lisa, I’ve always admired your work, your talent and writing skills from afar. This post just underscores what a nice person you really are. I hope no one else attempts to take advantage of the “nice girl” and that you indeed will remain optimistic and not become hardened and jaded. God knows in this business, our clients can do that to us well enough.

Life happens.

I understand it and fully emphathize with it. A note to say “Hey, I’m falling apart, catch you on the flip side” would be great, sure…but there may not be the ability to do even that.

It’s hard.

After my experience, would I hire that person back again? I would never say never - but it’s pretty doubtful.

I care about her and wish her well and will always be here as a friend.. but from a business standpoint? Honestly, she can flake out on someone else because I don’t ever want to go through that again.

Thanks for stopping by and hope things are better for you now

I have been a responsible, reliable, great person my entire life.

I am there for my family and friends and any business relationships and I always go the extra mile.

Unfortunately, last summer, I totally lost it.

I disappeared and refused to answer emails or voice mails or anything else. I actually had one person send the police to my door. ( I live in another state from most of my friends and clients. )

My actions were entirely undefendable….however, in my defense,…..I was moments away from suicide. There were only two choices at that point….walk away….or stop.

Many of my clients took me back after a 3 month walk-away. Some didn’t. I had always been reliable in the past and then I just snapped. I had to have the hard conversations about how we could keep them from being let down in the future….but I did it.

Coming back took a lot of soul searching and figuring out what I really wanted in life.

So….please don’t take it personally that your designer simply disappeared. And you might even want to work with that person again. I’m unlikely to pull the disappearing act again…I do learn from my mistakes and I don’t generally let people down.

But sometimes…you just have to do what you have to do. And the most sane thing you can do is to protect yourself from the world that is literally about to kill you.

Hope this helps!

I will always, always hope that she is ok - beyond that? *shrug*.. can’t fret over things beyond my control.

Leannes last blog post..Husky Portrait : Badger Final Scan & Details

Http500s last blog post..Grillo vergognati

@inspirationbit - I didn’t enlist anyone’s help, really. I dug through it on my own. Her projects were in several phases of completion - it was hard enough for *me* to weed through it and get things to where they needed to be.. I didn’t want to stick anyone else with the dirty work. Although, my other designers did step up to take on the new projects I was not able to because of this - - so, in that regard, I did have lots of help.

I am, possibly, looking to bring on another designer in the near future. . . drop me a line if ya wanna chat about it: lisa AT lisasabin-wilson DOT com.

Did you try enlisting someone’s else help, or did you continue the work on your own?

I wish you to never ever go through another nightmare in work, and get more clients and recover all the money you recently lost because of this.

If you ever need any help with programming, give me a shout - will be glad to offer my services. I do design too, but I guess you’ve got enough designers employed.

All the best to you!

(» Read inspirationbit’s last blog post..PROs And CONs Of Going Solo)

(» Read Lindsey’s last blog post..One year later . . .)