Freelancer-Client Privilege
Why loyalty matters
Just recently, a new client reached out to me requesting my services. The only problem is that this client is a direct competitor to one of my existing long-term clients.
I’ve been working with this first client for quite some time now and he has given me the opportunity to work closely with him to plan strategies. This includes access to his website’s analytics and techniques he uses to create content.
Now, I could easily work for this second client without informing my first client. And even offer to share some of the secrets, for a price of course.
But I would never do that. I take trust and loyalty very seriously. As a professional, or even a human being, I believe in having freelancer-client privilege.
It’s like the doctor-patient privilege or physician-patient privilege that protects the details shared between the patient and the physician.
In freelancing, you usually have to sign NDAs for this but with most clients and projects, they rarely request to sign them. And that was the case for most clients I’ve worked with.
So, it becomes the freelancer’s responsibility to decide how to handle competitors.
In my situation, I immediately informed my first client as a courtesy and made sure that working for his competitor wouldn’t jeopardize our work relationship.
Even then, he didn’t ask me to sign any NDAs. I had the freedom to work however I wanted.
But, at the end of the day, it all falls down to moral principles and what kind of a professional you are.
I would never share any details about my clients and their work with others. That’s one of the rules I follow as a freelancer. It not only establishes trust but also reassures them of my work ethic.
See you next time!
-Roshan
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