Boss asks freelance worker to change their name so other clients can't contact them: 'If he wants exclusive rights, he should pay for it'

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JR Atkinson • Writer and Editor
Apr 21, 2025 10:00 PM EDT

Freelancing is great for some reasons, but terrible for others. It gives you freedom to choose when you're going to work, doesn't attach you to any particular company, and lets you do multiple things instead of holding one role for one place. You might be able to piecemeal together a better life and a better salary freelancing than you could with regular work, plus you can take a 3-week vacation if you feel like you've earned it. 

The downsides, though, are many. You have to spend so much time (unpaid) looking for work. You may go through boom and bust cycles that can be hard to plan a budget around. And you don't get any benefits from the companies you freelance for (like healthcare and PTO). Also, companies love to take advantage of freelancers, so you have to get really good at advocating for yourself. Otherwise, you might end up with nothing to show for it.

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  • 01
    Cheezburger Image 10496645888
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • That's why one freelancer was prepared to respond to the wild ask that one employer set forth. When they tried to take advantage of them and potentially make them miss out on other work opportunities, they were ready to clap back. Read on for the story and see what you think.

  • 02

    My 'boss' asked me to change my name

    Yeah you heard it right Imao, technically they are not my boss but they hired me for their agency (i'm a freelancer) and my work consists of meeting clients that they're gathering. One day, they asked me verbatim "can you
    via u/Evangelion1122
  • 03
    change your name so the clients won't be able to bypass me and find you through other plateforms?" this was really funny in the most unfunny ways lol. Like the audacity man! If you want me to be exclusive better pay me exculsive price then, btw they are
    via u/Evangelion1122
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    paying me really really low (my country's currency is 3 times weaker than usd and yet it's still low so you can imagine the humilating amount that i'm getting), I wanna quit asap but wanna do it smoothly and professionaly, still figuring it out.
    via u/Evangelion1122
  • 05

    Other workers weighed in on this ridiculous situation.

    mikemojc 1d ago Let him know that you're open to that pricing structure, so its time to sit down and renegotiate. You 2 will either come to an amicable deal, or you'll get free.
    via u/mikemojc
  • 06
    DarthMonkey212313 • 1d ago F professional. They have shown they are not, so don't bother to be so either. Check your contract/free lance agreement and devise every legal way you can to let their clients know who you are and how to reach you, and start doing it. Spread the word, peace the f out, and wait for the clients to start contacting you.
    via u/DarthMonkey212313
  • 07
    . yrabl81 1d ago You got your head in the right place, if he wants exclusive rights, he should pay for it.
    via u/yrabl81
  • 08
    Cheezburger Image 10496646144
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 09
    Jaded_Celery_1645 1d ago I would suggest you phrase it so that he understands that while you work for your "boss", while you do so, you will be professional, but you are also a contractor and work with all clients. If he wants an exclusive
    via u/Jaded_Celery_1645
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    arrangement, then terms will need to be agreed upon so you can help him protect his interests. That should make him think in the right direction.
    via u/Jaded_Celery_1645
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    umassmza · 1d ago . I have had clients contact me directly bypassing the original company. I regret not just taking their money and being "honest" in every case.
    via u/umassmza
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    jgzman 22h ago I believe the correct answer is to advise him to pay you enough that you won't be tempted by other offers.
    via u/jgzman
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    old_ass_ninja_tur... . 23h ago "Do you think that might happen?" "Why might that happen?" "Do you see a problem with that?"
    via u/old_a**_ninja_turtle
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    Magnahelix 18h ago "Yeah. Sure. I'll get right on that." Then, don't get right on that. Or, at all.
    via u/Magnahelix
  • 15
    hoganpaul 1d ago • Assuming your name is John Smith you should change your name to John Smith.com and make it legal so he has to use it all the time.
    via u/hoganpaul
  • 16
    clamraccoon • 14h ago . I thought this was going to be a joined a team with 8 Debbie's, and was asked to go by a different name to make it easier.
    via u/clamraccoon
  • 17
    trabuco18 17h ago • i dont know how you quit "smoothly and professionaly"? just quit, leave, you own nothing to them, specially if is not a real boss but a client. quit 2 weeks in advace, why? when bosses want you to do something they tell you at the moment
    via u/trabuco18
  • 18
    • Beastly Bobcat 14h ago Keep all the contact information you can for their larger clients. Reach out to them and let them know you'd be willing to work directly for them for less than what they're being charged. Hopefully you can use your connects and past projects to network your way into a better job. Add everyone you can on linked in. Market yourself.
    via u/BeastlyBobcat
  • 19
    TheJeffChase • 8h ago Change your name to the bosses name. Then put in low effort while looking for a new job.
    via u/TheJeffChase
  • 20
    Lesser Valkyrie 4h ago Tell him only if he changes his name to McFartFace So it will make the clients happier when meeting him because they laughed beforehand and it will benfits the company and him. Everybody will be happy!
    via u/LesserValkyrie
  • 21
    _Chaos_Star_ • 27m ago They're a client. Just say no. As for quitting, you're a freelancer and you're getting underpaid. Give whatever notice you owe them, preferably once you have other work. Wish them luck for the future.
    via u/_Chaos_Star_
  • 22
    btw low-paying clients are always the most demanding. Get clients who need you, not just tolerate you.
    via u/_Chaos_Star_

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