Why you should keep your side hustle a secret from your employer

Finding a way to supplement your income can be a great way to pay off debt, save for a vacation, or even start your own business. However, many people are hesitant to share their side hustles with their employers. This hesitation is understandable, as there is a lot at stake when it comes to workplace relationships and job security. 

The potential risks of sharing your side hustle with your employer

While it may seem like a good idea to share your side hustle with your employer, it can actually be quite risky. There are several potential risks to consider before revealing your side hustle to your employer.

Firstly, your employer may see your side hustle as a conflict of interest. They may feel that your side hustle takes away from the time and energy you should be dedicating to your job. This could lead to a strained relationship between you and your employer and could even put your job at risk.

Secondly, sharing your side hustle with your employer may mean that you lose control over it. Your employer may feel that they have a say in how you run your side hustle, which could lead to disagreements and tension.

Lastly, if your side hustle is in the same industry as your employer, they may see it as a threat to their business. This could lead to them taking legal action against you or even terminating your employment.

Overall, it’s important to weigh up the potential risks before sharing your side hustle with your employer. If you do decide to share, be sure to have a clear understanding of what is expected of you and be prepared to make compromises.

The legal implications of disclosing your side hustle

Disclosing your side hustle to your employer can have legal implications, depending on your contract and the type of work you do. Some contracts may have clauses that forbid employees from undertaking other work outside of their main employment, or even competing with the company. If you are found to be in violation of your contract, your employer may have grounds for disciplinary action or even termination.
Moreover, if your side hustle relates to the same industry or sector as your main job, disclosing it could raise concerns about conflicts of interest or compromise of company secrets. This could lead to legal action and damage to your reputation.
In some cases, employers may even claim ownership of your side hustle, especially if it was developed using company resources or during work hours. This can be a tricky legal situation to navigate and could result in losing ownership of your business or even facing legal action.
To avoid any legal implications, it’s best to keep your side hustle under wraps and not disclose it to your employer. However, if you feel that your side hustle could potentially benefit your employer, it’s worth discussing the situation with them and seeking their approval before proceeding.

How to keep your side hustle secret from your employer

Keeping your side hustle a secret from your employer can be a challenging task, but it’s not impossible. Here are some tips on how to keep your side hustle under wraps:

1. Don’t use company resources: Make sure that you don’t use any company resources like company laptops, phones, or even office supplies for your side hustle. This is not only unethical but also a surefire way to get caught.

2. Use a separate email address: Create a separate email address for your side hustle that’s not linked to your work email. This will help you keep your side hustle communications separate from your work emails.

3. Don’t promote your side hustle on social media: Avoid promoting your side hustle on social media platforms where your colleagues or employer may see it. If you must promote on social media, create separate accounts for your personal and side hustle accounts.

4. Don’t discuss your side hustle at work: Avoid discussing your side hustle with your colleagues or boss. Keep conversations about your work and your side hustle separate.

5. Be careful with your schedule: Make sure that your side hustle doesn’t interfere with your work schedule. This means no working on your side hustle during work hours or taking calls during work meetings.

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