Re: Freelance Editing + non competition agreement

Being from Chicago, I guess I should also point out that there are other factors that may be at play. Sometimes, favors are traded, you can call it baksheesh, you can call it a referral, you can call it a finder's fee, call it a commission, or call it buying a guy a lunch. Usually if working with some guy gains you another new paying contact, it is only neighborly to thank that person in some formal or informal way. The rental place where I used to cut my freelance work, long ago, would often give my name out as a referral to other people who needed camerawork. I noticed that, and so the place that referred me for the camera work was where I would bring all my editing business, such as it was in those meager days. My way of saying "thanks".

Of course, this stuff is all a matter of degree, sometimes you do favors for people with no ulterior motive at all, just because you like them or you want to help them, and I don't think it is formally written down anywhere. It's just customary practice some places, more customary in others, maybe. I personally never expect it, plus it's banned in all forms where I work, for good reason. Always of course, your conscience and ethics should have the final say on what is appropriate in these exchanges, and if you have specific policies, then that overrides all. If you feel bad or wierd about it, that's a good sign something is not right. Probably in this guy's situation, taking her out to lunch as an appreciation for the contact, and telling her about it right away, might have prevented things from going south quite so fast.