For many remote workers, one of the main benefits of the job is flexibility and more freedom with their time. As a remote worker, you may wish to take advantage of these benefits to seek other employment. If you wish to do so, it’s important to first understand any legal issues that could be related to conflict of interest or other concerns for your primary employer. Once you’re aware of the legalities, you must then consider ethics. The following tips can help you remain ethical as a remote worker when you have more than one job.
- Understand your contract – Before taking on a second job, it’s important to understand your limitations based on your current work. You may be limited to choosing work that doesn’t conflict with what you currently do, especially if you have access to proprietary information. If you’re unsure, reach out to someone at your primary job to better understand your options so you don’t risk losing your job.
- No double-dipping – The lack of oversight of remote work may have you tempted to work your side gig while you’re on the clock for your primary job. Not only is this unethical, but it can also affect your work quality.
- Don’t let quality slide – Working ethically means providing quality work to your primary job and your side gig. If you find that you can’t do that, then you may have taken on more than you can handle.
- Be transparent – Depending on the type of work you do, you may be required to inform your primary employer that you have a second job. Your notification requirements can likely be found in your employment contract.
- Using company equipment – Many company-provided devices include software that keeps track of the sites you visit and the hours the device is in use. Even if your device has no tracking software, it’s not ethical to use it for work related to another job.
In tough economic times, it’s not uncommon for people to seek secondary employment. However, as a remote worker, you must be aware of the ethical concerns if you wish to stay in good standing at your primary job and your side gig. By following your work contract and separating your primary job from your side gig, you can maintain an ethical work-from-home environment that helps you give your best to both jobs.
