Boss is upset (meeting about it tomorrow) because she found out I did a small freelance job with one of the freelancers. It says in my contract I can do freelancer work, so did I do anything wrong?
double check any conditions attached to your permission to do freelance work. Make sure youre compliant with those conditions.
Roll the contract up v v tightly and lubricate it v v lightly...
Double check but lots of the time it will have some kind of you have to check with your employer first due to potential conflict of interest etc
Depends what else your contract say reference working for others.
If it really turns out to be a problem, would it be possible for you to offer to pay the time back? Or even whatever profit you might have made from the work?
Need to see the contract; if I take on freelance work I clear it with management first and it also goes on my record with HR.
You should probably just say in the future you will ensure you ask them first/keep them uptodate.
tricky - on another project (outside of your company's activity that the freelancer is freelancing for?) - then I'd suggest appropriate contrition, that you haven't according to your reading of it at least gone against your contract but in future you'll run it past her anyway?
If you've been freelancing on a project that you're actually being employed to do, different matter.
Either way I suggest if you go in to it from an appropriately reasonable position then she's more likely to as well. If you go in all guns blazing that you haven't done anything wrong, irrespective of right or not it might damage your relationship and prospects more than this 'indiscretion' would.
Was the freelance job for one of your employer's existing clients?
Also, did you undertake the work for the freelance piece inside your current employers time/tech usage ?
If the contract states "you can do for others" then all you have to do is convince your current employer your not passing specific company details or process over to your freelance client... this may take some convincing.. so be ready to answer some probing questions.
Ok sounds like I should have cleared it with her first out of courtesy. Going to be a pain as I do a lot of freelance work and too be honest I don't feel I need her approval...
The job was small, for a mate of the freelancer. It is not a job the company could have done due to the tiny budget.
All freelance work done outside the company. I do 4 days a week so I can do other work
Depends on how you got the work, when you did it and on what equippment.
If for example it was related to one of your company's clients then you've undercut your employer.
Own equipment, no relationship with company.
I think the issue is because it was with someone in the office. Legally I think i am fine, but have I done something wrong ethically? I was really surprised by her reaction
Your contract may stipulate you need to inform your employer of secondary work, it’s part to do with conflict of interest and part to do with working time regulations.
My work hr wanted to rubber stamp what I do outside of normal work, in my case part time, ad-hoc lecturing at uni. conditions were - do in own time & Don't take the piss.
Maybe she wants a piece of the action.
Depends what else your contract say reference working for others.
This. And nothing else.
Ok sounds like I should have cleared it with her first out of courtesy.
Not unless your contract says to. You don't want to get into a position where you create a new "custom and practice". At the moment that argument, weak as it is, is on your side. What would you do if she ever says "no more freelance work"?
Your only real duties as an employee (that are relevant here) are not to complete with your employer and to maintain confidentiality. Anything else is down to the contract.
I think all my previous employers have stated no outside work (certainly not without getting permission) but obviously depends on the contract specifics and if you're part-time it seems unlikely to be a serious problem so long as you aren't taking the piss.
I requested the freelance work clause in the contract as a condition of joining (and relocating).
What would you do if she ever says "no more freelance work"?
quit.
Just keep calling her sugart!ts, that’ll calm her down.
Sounds like you already know the answer.
