Advise Please

[anitasizzle]

Wasn't the guy who invented the computer mouse working for Xerox at the time, but sold his invention to someone else, and as a result Xerox has a clause in its employee employment contracts forbidding employees from working on 'other outside interest' relating to computers?

[Lincoln]

Yo Monster, my distinct impression of you is that you havent been pushed around a single day of your working life. I'd say you would push back pretty goddam hard if HR decided to yank your chain.

In such a circumstance I would go for the old skip up to a higher tier of management tactic and get your retaliation in first.

One word of caution: you say that you employ a person to administer the web-based stuff, I'm sure they are relying on you for secure employment and this should be a factor in your thinking in you are comtemplating a solo run.

[monster_monster]

Yo Monster, my distinct impression of you is that you havent been pushed around a single day of your working life. I'd say you would push back pretty goddam hard if HR decided to yank your chain.

In such a circumstance I would go for the old skip up to a higher tier of management tactic and get your retaliation in first.

One word of caution: you say that you employ a person to administer the web-based stuff, I'm sure they are relying on you for secure employment and this should be a factor in your thinking in you are comtemplating a solo run.

THB that is a very big factor in deciding what to do, I may be pretty ruthless in a lot of things but not when an innocent persons livelihood is on the cards, plus the person I have working for me is a friend of nearly 25 years.

I've pretty much made up my mind that I am in the right, as I declared my initial interest with no complaints when I took my job, so if they have a problem now the company should of declared it way back when.

IMO if they can turn a blind eye to people managing their property portfolios 24/7 then they can afford me the same courtesy. It's not like it takes time out of my working day nor does it have the slightest conflict of interest with anything I do.

[Curvaceous Kate]

If they new about one of the jobs before you even started, then they are being very hypocritical to announce that it is not allowed now.

It sounds like you have been given some good advice on here and I hope you manage to sort it out for the best. Let us know how it works out x

[monster_monster]

If they new about one of the jobs before you even started, then they are being very hypocritical to announce that it is not allowed now.

It sounds like you have been given some good advice on here and I hope you manage to sort it out for the best. Let us know how it works out x

that's why I posted the thread early on, get all the good advice out of the way before all the lunatics on the night watch show up

[Lincoln]

THB that is a very big factor in deciding what to do, I may be pretty ruthless in a lot of things but not when an innocent persons livelihood is on the cards, plus the person I have working for me is a friend of nearly 25 years.

I've pretty much made up my mind that I am in the right, as I declared my initial interest with no complaints when I took my job, so if they have a problem now the company should of declared it way back when.

IMO if they can turn a blind eye to people managing their property portfolios 24/7 then they can afford me the same courtesy. It's not like it takes time out of my working day nor does it have the slightest conflict of interest with anything I do.

I hear ya Bro, but I'd make the focus of my point be my value/indespensibility as opposed to the broader "what's good for the goose is good for the gander" strategy (draggin other staff in to it could get hairy...)

[ThomasJ]

the bottom line is if they want you out ,your out ,it just depends on the size of the golden handshake,i would recommend you get a good lawyer to look at your contract of employment
all the best ric

Ric is spot on - if they want you gone then you are gone - the cost to them is the only thing left to decide. If your contract of employment says that you are at all times to be solely engaged in work on their behalf then they have cause. My advice to you is to make contemporaneous notes of todays and all future meetings, also consult a lawer versed in employment law.

Should your contract of employment restrict you from engaging in other outside business activities and you want to stay with this company then you will have to get rid of your other businesses - at that stage it would be harder for them to get rid of you though you are likely to receive a severe warning.

[hd7055]

Monster

As others have said you really do need to take legal advice on this - ideally from someone specialising in employment law.

If they want you gone have no doubt that they can do so - but perhaps a voluntary redundancy package might be a win win scenario? Obviously this depends on the future viability of your websites ...

Just my tuppence worth.

hd.

[10inchesandcounting]

Any employer can ask "and most demand" exclusivity of your working hours. Moonlighting is just not tolarated(and they can enforce it wth the full might of the law) for whatever reason.
My only advice to you is,be careful you are in a mine field! this can goes south very fast especially if intellectual ownership is at stake!!

[SADumas]

Have options and an exit plan.

The HR person fired across your bow and made it clear that you need to get back in line pulling the wheel cart.

Good that you had your friend review your contract. Starting looking for another job discreetly. I know that it's tough right now finding jobs, but you have an advantage in that you have a job. The best time to look for a new job is when you have one. While at work don't give the company any excuse to fire you. Go beyond what is expected of you.

Depending how confident/close you are that the CEO will react to you approaching him/her and what status the HR person has in the company I would be cautious.