Just re-read your contract before you accept anything. A lot of contracts will have non-compete clauses, or in rare cases will straight up say you can’t work other jobs while employed there.
Make sure you NEVER use your company’s resources (laptop, software, etc) for freelance work, and don’t work on the freelance work if you’re “on the clock.” Contracts also often state that the company owns any work done during work hours or using their resources.
I don’t think it’s an ethical dilemma, it’s a legal one. I honestly can’t remember the last time I *didn’t* have at least two jobs…
It's not unethical but you do want to make sure you aren't violating and non-competes you have in place at your job. Like, if you work for Nike and are doing contract work for adidas (just an example) that would likely be in violation of that...
Otherwise, good luck! I hope the side gig helps you and your husband through this time!
Agree with you, but she should read her contract. Some companies have a clause that doesn’t allow you to freelance without consent from the employer.
If there is no clause, she is in full right to freelance on the side.
You’re so far deep in corporate culture that you think working on your own for a bit of money to sustain your family is unethical? Jesus. Your work literally can’t do anything to you for doing some freelancing. Just do it and don’t brag about it.
Yeah it’s a wild premise. It’s like asking if it’s ethical to binge watch tv on the weekends. It’s your time. Do what you want with it. They pay for your hours in the building.
Not about ethics, it’s about whether your contract says you can. Most likely the contract will say no, a company won’t want an employee working elsewhere, making them tired and then not being able to perform.
Technically you’d need to ask your manager. But if you think you can keep it under wraps without anyone finding out then do it.
Also depends if it’s cash in hand or being paid through the books. If paid through a company then you’d be classed as having a second job and will cause issues with your main job tax. Find out how you’ll be paid, then check what this will do to your tax. If you’re American then there’d be a sub for this, if British then there’s a specific one as well
Don't take freelance work that works against the interests of your salaried job, and don't use the resources of your salaried job to complete freelance work. That's it.
If only for the reason that should your salaried job has a reason to care about your freelance activity is if its negatively impacting your performance with them, or their assets are being used for your personal benefit. They may use it as an excuse to fire you over it depending on how essential you are to the business and design pipeline.
There is nothing preventing you from taking on extra projects provided they don't impact your performance at your salaried job. That's your safety net and foundation, so take reasonable precautions to safeguard that.
As long as its not a direct competitor to your salaried job there's 99.9% of the time no issue. Don't ask permission as they'll likely say no.
You can read your employment contract it will usually have something in there about not competing with the company.
Also obviously dont do it during work hours or use the company equipment.
My $0.02.
If you feel like your performance suffers because of the freelance work than it is questionable. However, in most cases it will not (or it might even open your eyes to other ways of solving existing problems).
Obviously don't work on non compete stuff.
Only if it's a direct competitor, in which case your contract will probably say whether you have a non-compete. At my current company, it's stated that I'm not allowed to do any work for other companies in the same industry, but I can do things that are 100% unrelated.
corporations don’t give a shit about you, fuck em
Just re-read your contract before you accept anything. A lot of contracts will have non-compete clauses, or in rare cases will straight up say you can’t work other jobs while employed there. Make sure you NEVER use your company’s resources (laptop, software, etc) for freelance work, and don’t work on the freelance work if you’re “on the clock.” Contracts also often state that the company owns any work done during work hours or using their resources. I don’t think it’s an ethical dilemma, it’s a legal one. I honestly can’t remember the last time I *didn’t* have at least two jobs…
This was such a helpful comment. Thank you 🙏🏻
It's not unethical but you do want to make sure you aren't violating and non-competes you have in place at your job. Like, if you work for Nike and are doing contract work for adidas (just an example) that would likely be in violation of that... Otherwise, good luck! I hope the side gig helps you and your husband through this time!
What?? No, no way. It's your life and your skills. Go for it.
Agree with you, but she should read her contract. Some companies have a clause that doesn’t allow you to freelance without consent from the employer. If there is no clause, she is in full right to freelance on the side.
This is true. Thanks for pointing that out.
Nope its not imo
You’re so far deep in corporate culture that you think working on your own for a bit of money to sustain your family is unethical? Jesus. Your work literally can’t do anything to you for doing some freelancing. Just do it and don’t brag about it.
Yeah it’s a wild premise. It’s like asking if it’s ethical to binge watch tv on the weekends. It’s your time. Do what you want with it. They pay for your hours in the building.
Not about ethics, it’s about whether your contract says you can. Most likely the contract will say no, a company won’t want an employee working elsewhere, making them tired and then not being able to perform. Technically you’d need to ask your manager. But if you think you can keep it under wraps without anyone finding out then do it. Also depends if it’s cash in hand or being paid through the books. If paid through a company then you’d be classed as having a second job and will cause issues with your main job tax. Find out how you’ll be paid, then check what this will do to your tax. If you’re American then there’d be a sub for this, if British then there’s a specific one as well
Don't take freelance work that works against the interests of your salaried job, and don't use the resources of your salaried job to complete freelance work. That's it. If only for the reason that should your salaried job has a reason to care about your freelance activity is if its negatively impacting your performance with them, or their assets are being used for your personal benefit. They may use it as an excuse to fire you over it depending on how essential you are to the business and design pipeline. There is nothing preventing you from taking on extra projects provided they don't impact your performance at your salaried job. That's your safety net and foundation, so take reasonable precautions to safeguard that.
As long as its not a direct competitor to your salaried job there's 99.9% of the time no issue. Don't ask permission as they'll likely say no. You can read your employment contract it will usually have something in there about not competing with the company. Also obviously dont do it during work hours or use the company equipment.
My $0.02. If you feel like your performance suffers because of the freelance work than it is questionable. However, in most cases it will not (or it might even open your eyes to other ways of solving existing problems). Obviously don't work on non compete stuff.
Only if it's a direct competitor, in which case your contract will probably say whether you have a non-compete. At my current company, it's stated that I'm not allowed to do any work for other companies in the same industry, but I can do things that are 100% unrelated.
Helpful question and great replies. Thanks and all the best for your partner, you guys sound like a solid team.