Not sure if this is the right sub but here goes.
So I left my previous job 3 months ago (currently working for a new and better company). Yesterday, the operations director called me and ask if I can do freelance work for them because my replacement is “useless”.
Back Story:
I worked in that company for three years. Even if the boss was moody, he was generally fine. I like my job. I know this is antiwork sub but I just like what I do. It's always the management or boss that sucks. For anyone that's curious, I'm a web developer. I like programming.
Anyway, this boss eventually realize that I can pretty much do any kind of website that the client wants so he started accepting more website work and always suggest to clients these unique features. I don't mind. I have a software engineering background and working on unique (and bizarre) features and bending the technology is a common thing for me. The problem is he accepting more projects than I can handle. It came to a point that I am juggling 5 websites in a day. Don't ask me how I manage it because I also don't know. And whenever I miss any deadline, he always makes it his mission to make me feel stupid and incompetent. I know I'm not but the way he said it makes me feel like I am.
One time, I was working on a project and while working on it I realized it was way more complicated and I cannot finish it on time. I still tried to and stayed until 8pm in the office and continue working at home til midnight. I was really anxious and already considered jumping in front of the train than talking to my boss. Yeah, I know, dark thoughts. After I gathered my senses, I realize that it's not healthy working like this. Why would I prefer to unalive myself than talk to my boss.
The very next day after I talk to him about the issue, I started looking for other companies (and, yes I got scolded again and made me question my skills). A month after looking for the right company since I don't want another boss like that, I finally got a job offer. I got a 20% salary increase and the boss and coworkers are nice.
In the first week after I sent my resignation, my boss tried to be too friendly as if he wants to show everyone that he was not affected by me leaving the company. In the second week, he is starting to show some irritation because we are still not getting any decent applicants to replace me. In the third week, he is starting to nitpick everything that I do and my coworkers are giving me a concerned look. Luckily at this point, we already started scheduling people for interviews. Out of the almost 300 applicants, 8 people have good enough resume and was given the coding exercise. Out of the 8, only 2 were properly able to do it and were scheduled for an interview. After interviewing the two, both are skilled enough to do the job but they don't have enough experience to be able to do the job fast enough for my boss' standards. We don't have time anymore to review other applicants because I need to leave in a few days and only I can do a technical interview. I feel sorry for the new guy. He has the skills but I know he can't keep up with how fast the work needs to be. I was only able to train him for two days so I told him to contact me if he ever need any help or have questions.
Throughout the 3 months, I was helping the new guy like once or twice a week. He either message or call me. There was one time we even need to meet because he can't understand how the whole website works. It was a really complicated one though so I understand.
Anyway, yesterday the operations manager called me and ask if I am willing to work freelance for them because my former boss is already threatening to fire the new guy. I'm still undecided. I want to for the sake of the new guy but at the same time, I don't want to because this is like my revenge on my former boss. He didn't realize my value while I was still working there. He thinks everyone can easily be replaced.
What do you guys think?