Protect Your Full-Time Job While Working a Side Hustle

Protect Your Full-Time Job While Working a Side HustleProtect Your Full-Time Job While Working a Side HustleSo, youre ready to join the gig economy, but you arent ready to leave your full-time job. Well, take heart, because you arent alone. An Intuit study found that among all side-hustling Americans, 41 percent also have traditional part- or full-time jobs. Side hustling in your spare time is a great way to supplement your income and even transition into business ownership, so its elend surprising that its so common in todays workforce. Still, many side-hustlers with full-time jobs share a common worry What happens if your babo finds out? If you share that concern, take these steps to protect your full-time job while pursuing your personal ambitions. Review Your Company Policy on Side Jobs Theres a decent chance that your company hasnt directly shared its feelings about side hustles, but that doesnt mean you shouldnt check. Begin by reviewing the legal documents you signed when you joined the company, which may include Employment contract This agreement outlines the terms and conditions of your employment. Put simply, it states what you and your company can expect from one another. This includes your salary, the terms of your employment (i.e., full-time, part-time, contract, etc.), the hours in a typical workweek, responsibilities, benefits, and yes, loyalty expectations. Many companies, especially start-ups, are wary of employees who split their focus with another job, regardless of whether you manage it in your free time. Comb the language to learn whether your boss has already taken a stance on this issue. Non-disclosure agreement Companies have a right to protect their profitability, and a non-disclosure agreement prevents employees (past and present) from sharing sensitive information like trade secrets, business strategies, income reports, and other internal data. As a freelancer, benefitting from your inside knowledge is legally risky, and its wise to insulate your side gig from unethical business practices.Non-compete clauses This contract protects your employer by limiting your ability to compete with them in the same industry after you leave the company, usually for a specified period of time. State laws oftenaffect the enforceability of NCCs after you leave your job, but youll run into serious risks if your side hustle and current position share any common ground. Read the language carefully and consult an attorney if you need clarification. Respect Your Companys Time and Resources Its no secret that employers monitor their staffs online activity. While your boss may not mind a few wasted minutes on Facebook, running your business on company time is another story. Using your work computer to manage side hustle clients or run your e-commerce site is a big no, especially if youre doing it at work. When you mix professional time, you run the risk of being found out via tech monitoring- or worse yet, by a boss looking ove r your shoulder. Be respectful of your companys time and resources by taking your gig ambitions offsite and using your own tools to succeed. That means steering clear of the office supplies, printing services, software licenses, and even your workplace laptop. Using these resources is probably a clear violation of your employment contract, and even if its not, put yourself in your bosss shoes and make the prudent choice. If you cant avoid your side business during the day, take your personal computer to a coffee shop over lunch. That said, its also a good idea to lock down your businesss social media activity during work hours to avoid the appearance of misusing your time. Dont Recruit Coworkers We all make friends at work, and while you might be tempted to involve your coworkers in your personal business, think twice before acting. Your workplace peers signed the same legal contracts with your employer, and involving them would put both of your jobs in jeopardy. Just as you sh ouldnt use company office supplies and resources, you also shouldnt rely on Dave from accounting to set up Quickbooks for your side gig. Theres good news when it comes to keeping your pen out of the company ink The gig economy has millions of other freelancers for you to connect with. Consider outsourcing your needs to fellow pros using Fiverr, TaskRabbit, or other gig job site. This strategy will help you establish connections, grow your side business, and avoid compromising your full-time job. Talk to Your Boss Keeping a secret usually means living with stress, and hiding your side hustle might not be worth the mental anguish. Assuming you havent violated any company policies, your boss might be open to your freelancing ambitions. If you have a good working relationship, consider scheduling a meeting in the interest of transparency. Highlight the reasons you started a side business and make it clear that your role at the company comes first. If talking to your boss seems overw helming, run your concerns past the HR department, highlighting your desire to respect company policies and behave honestly. Side hustling can a lucrative and fun way to enhance your life, and a few safeguards can help things run smoothly. Arrange your priorities and protect your full-time income along the way.