I work in Tech and a junior colleague I had mentored who was also a contractor had been told his contract would not be renewed at the end of the month. He had a month’s notice.

Speaking with him at lunch and discussing his next moves, he had confided in me that some automated scripts he had created, he had now deleted since he was not happy at his non renewal. I was horrified and strongly advised him to recover them immediately and never to take such actions as it was essentially a breach of contract and worse, could land him in serious trouble even with the law. He was destroying the company’s IP.

He was surprised as he thought I would have taken his side. Of course he did not listen to me and his lead found out about the action that same day. I saw him being escorted from the premises. He of course did not remain in touch with me.

Very wrong. There’s always the next job for you. Don’t be vindictive to your former employers, no matter the temptation.