Obligations to follow a former boss’ orders?

[stealth2]

I still don't understand you. And I'm sorry to say this, but I don't think you understand me.

John Doe never said "okay" to the boss' email (ordering him not to speak to former co-workers). John Doe never responded to that email at all.

How would the former boss ever find out if John Doe contacted the former employees again after the email? The workers could simply inform their boss.

That’s exactly what Zig said. The only lack of understanding comes from you.

ETA: Although Zig said "you", I suspect he meant "John Doe". I further suspect that we all are operating on the basis that you are actually John Doe.

 

[cbg]

I'm not going to run through a lot of hypotheticals on the off chance that we find one in which my answers would change. I don't like superlatives and it's POSSIBLE, although unlikely, that there is a stray situation somewhere that might have a different response. It's quite unlikely; I just can't rule it out entirely.

 

[quincy]

I'm not going to run through a lot of hypotheticals on the off chance that we find one in which my answers would change. I don't like superlatives and it's POSSIBLE, although unlikely, that there is a stray situation somewhere that might have a different response. It's quite unlikely; I just can't rule it out entirely.

There is typically an exception to every rule, and an outlier from which conclusions cannot be drawn. That is why words like possible, conceivable, imaginable and potentially were invented.