Will My Employer Fire Me? 5 Must-Know Answers Before Starting a Side Hustle

Before we jump into the edition

I have an important announcement to make

After talking to 100s of individuals who wanted to have a Side hustle without leaving their full-time job

With the higher cost of living, slow wage growth, and people genuinely disconnecting from traditional work.

It is clear that there is no better time to take SideGig to the next level.

Along with Daniel Perotti, I am super excited to announce The SideGig Community-driven Accelerator Program.🤩

A 4-week cohort-based program that helps individuals take the first step towards SideGig and unlock financial freedom and personal fulfilment.

Packed with all the essentials that we need

📝 Structured week-by-week program

🤝 Accountability Buddies to keep you motivated and on track

🛠️ Access to tools and resources

😎 Learn from others who have done it

👋🏻 Community-driven

Our first cohort kicks off soon with very limited seats.

Enroll now today - here

Hey Gigsters,

In this edition, I’m tackling one of the biggest concerns I hear from many of you: “How will my current employer take this?” Starting a side hustle while holding down a full-time job can raise some questions about conflict of interest, time management, and overall impact on your day job.

Let’s clear the air and address the five most common questions people ask when it comes to launching a SideGig while employed full-time.

1. Is it legal to start a side hustle while I’m employed full-time?

In most cases, yes, it’s completely legal to start a side hustle while working full-time. However, there are a few things you need to consider:

• Check Your Employment Contract: Your first step should be reviewing your employment contract. Some companies have clauses that restrict employees from starting a business in the same industry or prevent you from working with direct competitors. Look for any non-compete clauses or conflict-of-interest policies.
• Avoid Using Company Time or Resources: It’s critical that you don’t work on your side hustle during your regular working hours or use company resources (like your work computer or email). Not only could this get you into trouble with your employer, but it also crosses ethical lines.

If you’re unsure, have a confidential conversation with HR or a legal advisor to clarify your rights.

2. Will my employer find out about my side hustle?

Your employer may find out about your side hustle, but that doesn’t mean it’s automatically a problem. Here’s how to manage the situation:

• Transparency is Key: If you believe your side hustle might come up at work, consider being open about it. Transparency can help avoid misunderstandings. If your side hustle is in a completely unrelated field (for example, you’re an accountant with a photography side business), it’s often less of an issue.
• Keep Work and Side Hustle Separate: As long as your side gig doesn’t interfere with your job performance or violate any company policies, you should be in the clear. Avoid promoting your side hustle to colleagues or using any work connections without permission.

3. Can my employer terminate me for having a side hustle?

In most cases, employers cannot terminate you just for having a side hustle—unless it violates specific company policies. Termination can happen if your side hustle:

• Creates a Conflict of Interest: If your side gig competes directly with your employer’s business or if you’re using insider knowledge to gain a competitive edge, this could be seen as a conflict of interest.
• Affects Your Job Performance: If your employer believes that your side hustle is negatively impacting your performance at your full-time job, this could be grounds for action.

Maintain open communication with your employer about your work priorities, and make sure your side hustle doesn’t affect your productivity.

4. How do I make sure my side hustle doesn’t interfere with my full-time job?

Balancing a full-time job with a side hustle is challenging, but it’s totally possible with good time management.

• Schedule Your Time: Use tools like Google Calendar or Trello to block out specific time slots for your side hustle outside of work hours. Be realistic about how much time you can dedicate without burning out.
• Focus on Efficiency: Learn to prioritize high-impact tasks. In your side hustle, focus on activities that drive results (like acquiring clients or completing billable work) rather than getting lost in the weeds of admin work.
• Set Clear Boundaries: Ensure your employer knows your full-time job is still your top priority. Keep your side hustle activities confined to your personal time.

5. Do I need to tell my employer about my side hustle?

This depends on your company’s policies. Some employers require disclosure of any outside business activities, while others don’t.

• Review Company Policy: If your company requires disclosure, be honest and clearly outline your side hustle, especially if it’s in an unrelated field. Emphasize that it won’t interfere with your job responsibilities.
• If You Don’t Need to Disclose: If your employer doesn’t have a formal policy on outside work, you can decide whether or not to mention it. Just ensure that you’re abiding by all legal and ethical guidelines.

If you do choose to disclose, frame the conversation positively. You can highlight how your side hustle allows you to develop new skills that could benefit your main job.

Starting a side hustle while working full-time isn’t as risky as you might think—as long as you’re mindful of your company’s policies, manage your time well, and keep your work and side hustle separate. The key is to be transparent, ethical, and respectful of your full-time job.

Let’s Chat: Have you had any concerns about how your employer might react to your side hustle?

Share your stories and tips with the SideGig community!

See you in the next edition.

Benji