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Ask HN: How to take side jobs without getting in trouble with my employer?

2 points by silent_cal ↗ HN
I'm starting to branch out and take side jobs. I set up an LLC for the purpose, and I'm afraid of my employer finding out and getting mad (I work remotely but do I intend to continue working full-time hours for my employer. I just don't know how they would take it). I have a few ideas of how to go about this:

1. Continue working for my employer and just don't tell them I'm doing work on the side.

2. Same as 1, but tell my employer that I'm doing this.

3. Ask my employer if I can become an hourly contractor instead of a full-time employee, freeing me up from being on their schedule all day and enabling me to take more clients.

What do you think is the best move? I should add that my employer is okay if we have flexible schedules. I just don't know if they're okay with second jobs being the reason for it.

6 comments

[ 3.8 ms ] story [ 26.5 ms ] thread
neofrommatrix
Three things you need to take care of, IMO: 1. Continue working on your own time (not office hours) and don’t tell them. 2. Do not use office equipment for your side gig. Like at all. No emails, no printouts, and no coding, etc 3. Do not let it affect your performance as much as possible.
silent_cal
I don't think it will be possible to avoid taking client calls during office hours.
iamflimflam1
Probably worth checking your employment contract. There will often be a clauses about this kind of thing.
meiraleal
I would go with 1 having two different computers, one with your setup always ready for the fulltime work and another for the side jobs.
leros
Ask for forgiveness not for permission. Do option #1. If you get in trouble, claim ignorance, and try for option #2. If that fails, try for option #3.

Odds are they would never know or care even if it's against policy.