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Keith Doyle
25,973 PointsFreelancing as a side job
Nick was kind enough to answer one of my questions during one of his live site reviews and I thought I'd post it here for discussion.
Q: What kind of issues do I need to be aware of if I'm currently working at an employer and want to start picking up side projects and do some freelancing on my own time?
Just wondering what kinds of experiences people in the Treehouse community have had with this situation.
*As a note, I checked my employer's code of conduct and I would need to get written permission from my employer before taking on a second job of any type.
3 Answers
James Barnett
39,199 PointsI would need to get written permission from my employer before taking on a second job of any type.
Personally I think this is a bad sign for you.
The distinction between ...
- I'm making a website for my church
- I'm volunteering at a senior center
- I made a website for my local restaurant that I go to every week
These things seem pretty similar time commitments to me thus lots of gray area for what an employer such as yours may feel entitled to prohibit.
Kevin Korte
28,148 PointsIm doing just this now. Time management is the biggest obstacle. Under promise over deliver.
I'm not sure I'd be super excited working for an employer who dictates my time outside of work. I have a no-compete contract I signed with my employer, but we are in the agriculture business, and for instance I'm building a site for a friends Sports Performance training gym. These two businesses are not in competition.
Look at your contract with them closely as to what/when you actually have to get permission. Maybe bring it up that you're thinking of doing this, but wanted to get their thoughts first.
Keith Doyle
25,973 PointsInteresting input from you guys so far. I'm contemplating whether or not to bring it up to my boss. It's listed in the company's Code of Conduct and is extremely broad, they don't really do anything specific. I think since it's a financial services company they're more worried about people taking on multiple jobs that relate to their current role that could include investments, etc.
My first project I'm tackling is working on a new site for my step-brother. His site is in need of some serious re-design. But he did it himself with the GoDaddy SiteBuilder so I guess I can't blame him too much.