AITA For threatening my former boss with legal action?

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Picture this: you’ve landed a dream job, closer to home with better pay, only to find your face still plastered on your ex-boss’s website two years later, hawking his business like you never left. That’s the sticky situation one Redditor faced after quitting a job where their boss dragged his feet on contract talks, then fired them for taking a better offer.

When polite requests to remove their image were met with insults, they pulled out the big guns: a legal threat. Now, they’re wondering if they’re the bad guy for escalating things. Reddit’s weighing in, and this tale of workplace drama and personal boundaries is heating up. Let’s dive into the mess!

‘AITA For threatening my former boss with legal action?’

About 2 years ago I was offered a new job by my former boss's main competitor. They were offering a substantial increase in pay, better benefits, and their office is less than 5 miles from my house instead of the 25+ miles I was currently commuting. In short, it was too sweet a deal to pass up. The only problem was that my current contract had 4 months left on it.

I had approached my boss a handful of times in the previous months to set a time up to discuss extending my contract, but he kept putting it off and told me we would work something out. I didn't like the idea of running out my contract with nothing lined up for when it expired, so with about 6-months left on my contract, I started looking for other options.

After a couple months of courtship, the competitor gave me a written offer. I approached my boss after getting the offer and told him that if he wouldn't at least meet with me about my contract, that I would have to start looking for other options. He told me to wait another month because he wanted to get through the end of the calendar year to see where things stood.

I told him that was his decision, but I am going to need to make decisions for myself in the mean time. I didn't tell him that I already had an offer from our competitor, but I wanted him to know that I wasn't going to do this solely on his timeline. After the year ended, he came to me and offered to extend my contract under the exact same terms.

No raise, no increase in benefits, the same as my previous contract. I told him that I had an offer from another company and that I would be accepting that offer. I told him I would work through the end of my current contract, but at that time I would be leaving. He got mad and said I should have told him sooner. I told him I gave him plenty of chances but he kept blowing me off.

He then said not to bother finishing my contract and that I was fired. So I contacted the competitor, told them what was going on, and they said I could start in 2 weeks. The legal issue comes from my former boss using my face on his company website to promote his business. I am also featured in a promotional video on his website.

Both the picture and video are literally on his site's front page, you can't miss it. The picture and video are still there even after me leaving 2 years ago. I asked my new companies' legal team about it and they said I could probably sue him to get him to take it down if he didn't do it willingly.

So I sent my former boss an email requesting that he take all of my likenesses off his company website as I no longer work for him. He refused and responded with a few choice words regarding my character. I responded that he left me no choice but to take legal action and that he would be hearing from my lawyer.

I've never sued anyone before and it's making me feel kind of like an a**hole, like I'm stooping to my former boss's level. But I don't want people in our industry to think I am still associated with his company.

Quitting a job for a better opportunity shouldn’t leave your likeness stuck in your ex-boss’s marketing machine. The Redditor’s clash with their former employer over delayed contract talks and unauthorized image use spotlights a thorny issue: control over one’s personal brand. Their boss’s refusal to negotiate fairly pushed them to a competitor, and now his refusal to remove their photo feels like a final jab.

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Intellectual property lawyer Kelly Warner explains, “Using someone’s likeness for commercial purposes without consent, especially post-employment, can violate right of publicity laws” (Forbes). The Redditor likely has a case if no contract clause permits perpetual use. Their ex-boss’s retaliation—firing them after they secured a new job—shows poor judgment, while his refusal to remove their image suggests defiance over decency.

This taps into a broader issue: workplace fairness. A 2022 Gallup study found 60% of workers felt disrespected by unresponsive management (Gallup). The Redditor’s proactive steps—requesting removal before escalating—show restraint, not pettiness. They could pursue a cease-and-desist letter or consult a lawyer to review their contract for clauses on image rights.

Heres what people had to say to OP:

Reddit’s serving up some piping-hot takes on this workplace saga, with a dash of wit and plenty of support. Here’s what the community had to say about this sticky situation.

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[Reddit User] − NTA. You attempted to pursue every civil avenue at every interaction. You need to ensure the future security of your career, securing your likeness is part of that security. Unless there was a clause in your former contract stating that they can use your likeness in perpetuity then you have a very solid case. Good luck and carry on dude and or dudette.. Edited for autocorrect corrections.

ThrowRA_Diplomat − NTA. In both of the situations you described you approached your boss with a reasonable compromise and he blew you off, basically forcing your hand. You wanted to discuss your contract, he didn't, you made other plans. You requested that he stop using your likeness in promotions, he refused and insulted you, so you went the legal route.

He's had every opportunity to avoid both of the problems these situations present for him and at every opportunity he's chosen to dig in his heels and basically force you to deal with him in less friendly terms. That's not on you, that's on him.. Congratulations on the new job!

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tirv56 − NTA I -Did you sign a modelling release? If so , I believe you gave permission and the company can use your image. If you signed no such release, then they are using your image without permission, and you should be able to have a lawyer send them a letter to pull it off their marketing material.

BroadElderberry − NTA.. Here is the big difference between you and your former boss. What he did was *retaliation*. He punished you because you wouldn't accept his s**tty treatment. It was intended to cause you harm.

What you're doing is a *consequence*. He refused a reasonable request, and now you have to seek alternative methods to have your reasonable request addressed. Your actions aren't intended to cause him harm, you're trying to protect *yourself* from further harm.

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urbansasquatchNC − NTA for wanting it down, but your employer likely owns the rights to use those photos if they were taken during your employment and you consented to them being taken and used at the time.

So you likely don't have much legal recourse, but you can certainly do the 'verizon to sprint advertisement guy' switch to spite your old employer. Your current employer would probably be interested in doing it too.

Discombobulated_Pie8 − NTA, a simple lawyer's letter should do the trick. You've asked nicely and received abuse as thanks, he has left you no choice. With regards to you leaving the company, it would have been fair to tell him that you had accepted an offer.

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Yes I know he was dithering on letting you know if you had an extension but sometime things are out a manager's hands, however if he owned the company and made the decision then he was being unfair. It also seems like you sat on the offer of your current role for some time, that doesn't feel like you were being fair to them?

GummyGummaGaff − NTA how is responding to not wanting your face being used as stooping to his level?

littlebutmean − NTA, and smart to notify him. Sometimes, the words that work are, 'My lawyer asked me to give you a courtesy call. Most companies dont wanr to mess with lawyers, they're very expensive.

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AnnanWhatsit − INFO: Are you from an under-represented demographic within your field? Something about this feels to me like he's getting something specific out of using your photo in particular (i.e. look how diverse we are!). You are NTA for wanting him to stop using your image for promotional reasons, especially if you're in a small or niche field where people might recognize you.

[Reddit User] − NTA - I would consult an attorney, make sure to provide them with a copy of the contract. They would be able to advise you then on your next course of action. 2 years later is a long time to keep old material up.

These Reddit gems spark debate, but do they nail the full story? Share your thoughts below!

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This tale of a jilted employee and a stubborn boss is a masterclass in workplace boundaries gone wrong. The Redditor’s fight to reclaim their likeness isn’t just about a photo—it’s about respect and moving on. Their ex-boss’s refusal to let go paints him as the real antagonist here. Have you ever had to draw a hard line with a former employer? What would you do in this Redditor’s shoes? Drop your thoughts and let’s keep the convo rolling!

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