DEAR HARRIETTE: I got a call from an old friend -- well, acquaintance -- who wanted me to help another friend by meeting with him to see if I might hire his company for a job. As we talked, I realized that I could use this person's services for a project I was working on. Excited about the possibility, I had my friend connect us. It seemed like this guy's company could do a good job for me, so I hired him. Well, it has not worked out well at all. He has turned out to be a nightmare. I am surprised at how unprofessional he and his team have been. Now we are locked in a contract and trying to work our way through the whole thing, but it is a major problem. Part of me wants to handle this independently. Another part wants to let my friend know that this guy and his company are bad news. I would never hire them again, and I think she should know since I met them based on her referral. What do you think? -- Tattletale, Bronx, N.Y.
DEAR TATTLETALE: You should handle your business with this man and his company independently of your friend. You hired him, and it is important that you remain professional. At the same time, when the dust has settled, you should also be in touch with the friend who referred him to you. Your friend should know that the referral went south. Be prepared to share specific details about what didn't work in a spirit of sharing professional information. Do not bad-mouth the man or his company. Stick to the facts.