The side hustle has become, for many people, an essential revenue stream at a time when salary cuts and the cost of living are going hand in hand. People are struggling to make ends meet, so the entrepreneurially minded are creating side hustles to bring those ends together.<\/p>\n
According to Nicol Myburgh, Head: CRS Technologies HCM Business Unit, the side hustle is, 99% of the time, not a fireable offence, but there are some things to look out for.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe most important consideration for your side hustle is simple \u2013 don\u2019t compete with your employer or steal clients from your company,\u201d he says. \u201cDon\u2019t do the exact job you do during the day as your side hustle at night, because that could be a conflict of interest. This is one sure-fire way to get yourself fired.\u201d<\/p>\n
To ensure that your side hustle stays right where it is, by your side, it\u2019s worth taking some solid steps with your existing company to ensure that everything is above board. The first is to declare your side hustle to your employer.<\/p>\n
Tell them what it is, and show them that there\u2019s no conflict of interest. This goes a long way towards easing any potential tension, and resolving any possible problems before they start.<\/p>\n
\u201cAround 80% of the time the business will be fine with it,\u201d says Myburgh. \u201cThe problem is the 20% who say no, but they technically can\u2019t stop you from doing it. If your side hustle isn\u2019t competing with them, and if there is no sign that it\u2019s impacting on your work or productivity, then you can just go ahead and do it.\u201d<\/p>\n
The next step in ensuring that your side hustle doesn\u2019t impact your relationship with your employer is to make sure that it doesn\u2019t affect your productivity, and that you never do it while you\u2019re at work.<\/p>\n
If you do it during work time, that\u2019s a problem. If you use work equipment, that\u2019s an even bigger one. Make sure that you engage with your side hustle as ethically as possible; that way you will minimise any friction with your employer while benefitting from your hustle.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou will also need to look through your existing terms and conditions of employment to see if you legally have to admit to having a side hustle,\u201d warns Myburgh.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt may be listed under a term for declaring interest, so do this upfront and be honest. If you don\u2019t declare it, the company could bring a charge against you. This isn\u2019t worth the hassle, even if it doesn\u2019t lead to dismissal, as it will sour the relationship between you and your employer.\u201d<\/p>\n