Is doing sidework for someone in the same business as your "real job" ethical?

It depends. For instance, I worked many years for EDS in graphic design, and most all of the other graphic designers did some freelance graphic design work on their own. Their clients were certainly not the clients who would come to EDS for graphics (we provided graphics to GM).

Some companies have employees sign non-compete agreements upon hiring them. They can specify that they cannot leave this job to work for a direct competitor (taking trade secrets with them).

Most people I know who do corporate video work often do side video work too. So, I would say it depends on the kind of work, and whether or not there is a clause in your employee handbook forbidding some of that. A bigger question to me would be about doing side work WHILE AT your regular job. So, this guy should not be contacting clients or making up invoices for his side work while he is working his real job, and that would be the same for you.

I agree with Calimari.  It depends on the job and position.  If you can ask yourself the question, "Would this be something I'd feel comfortable telling my boss about?" and if the answer is no, it's probably unethical.

From what you describe, it sounds fine to me.

Essentially, you are an office manager for a particular business. That sort of skill is transferable to many kinds of businesses (just like being a secretary/clerk, etc. - the skills can be used in many businesses).  Now, this guy has his own company, he knows you, wants you to work for him part-time. He is not in direct competition with your boss, nor is he taking clients from there.

Most any job you would move to after this job would ALSO use what you learned at this job for their own prosperity. ANY job you take in the future would benefit from the skills/experience you have learned here.

I see no problem with you earning extra on the side. It would be the same if you were making appointments for a friends' carpentry business, doing some paperwork for a friends' daycare, or working weekends for your church offices.

Do you think your boss would be upset if he found out?   Would you be comfortable telling him up front you will be doing it on your own time for the guy?   That would be my only concern.....doing it behind your bosses back since he seems a bit wacky.   I'm just wondering if he found out if he'd fire you?  (Probably not, but I'd ask myself that question)

I agree that it doesn't sound unethical to me.   As long as you're doing it on your own time, not helping him steal clients,  and using your own equipment and supplies, then I can't really see a problem with it.    I'd probably go for it in your circumstances as long as you examine the questions I asked in paragraph 1.

Quote:

Originally Posted by blessed_with_6 

He WOULD have a problem, as he thinks everyone in this world is  "f*cking" out to get him, he is always in the right, and it's all of those (insert same word here) *ssholes fault when someone leaves here or something doesn't pay off for HIM.

Well then I'm not sure what to tell you. I still think it's doubtful he'd fire you as he'd have to go to the trouble of finding someone else and training them, but you do have to worry about him finding out (things like that have a ways of getting back around) and MAYBE doing that.    I would just look at how much you'd make in the side job and if it's worth the stress of your boss finding out.   For me, it probably would be, but that's easy for me to say.   How's that for helpful LOL?!?!?

But to answer your original question, I'll stick to my answer that I think that is still ethical.

Quote:

Originally Posted by aliadam 

 

 

Well then I'm not sure what to tell you. I still think it's doubtful he'd fire you as he'd have to go to the trouble of finding someone else and training them, but you do have to worry about him finding out (things like that have a ways of getting back around) and MAYBE doing that.    I would just look at how much you'd make in the side job and if it's worth the stress of your boss finding out.   For me, it probably would be, but that's easy for me to say.   How's that for helpful LOL?!?!?

 

But to answer your original question, I'll stick to my answer that I think that is still ethical.

I agree with this.  I think it is okay for you to take on side work, but your boss IS a JERK and you are the only one who can answer the question of whether or not he'd fire you if he found out and then decide if the risk is worth it.

Botton line is you need to do what you and your family needs so think about it and then take it from there.  I don't think it is unethical at all. You are doing it on your time.