I am leaving my marketing job after working for five years in this company. I am taking up a similar job and in the same industry. Obviously, I have contacts from my current job but I am also wary that I can be accused of doing the wrong thing or betraying my current employer if I use these contacts. What are the guidelines for people like me?

Reply from Ms Irene Low, business HR manager, PeopleSearch:

It is always nice to leave on a good note and to continue with the friendships built over the years with colleagues, clients and vendors.

Business contacts made during the course of your employment usually belong to the company.

Some firms may have formal guidelines for you to, say, leave these contacts (in the form of business cards) behind.

However, some people re-establish these contacts when they settle into a new business or new employment.

While it can be sensitive to your current employer if you continue to keep in touch with the contacts, accusations of wrongdoing or betrayal might be too harsh.

Would your current employer, say, be worse off if you remained in touch with contacts?

But if its business is affected because of your actions, then refrain from doing so and establish new contacts instead.

Always be professional in your business dealings and if there are any doubts, speak with your current employer to secure understanding and confidence.

When embarking on any new venture, start on the right footing, do what is right and enjoy the process.

This article was first published in The Straits Times.