Side job alongside the main job - what do I need to consider?
August 4, 2022 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Alexander Lenzner
Dear Employment Lawyer,
My name is Lorenzo Falk and I have been working full-time as a software developer at a large company for five years. Lately, I have been considering obtaining a side job alongside my main job to supplement my income and expand my professional skills. However, I am unsure about what I need to consider in order to avoid any legal issues with my employer.
My main question, therefore, is: What do I need to consider if I want to pursue a side job alongside my main job? Are there any legal regulations or contractual agreements that I need to take into account? I want to make sure that I do not neglect my main job and that no conflicts of interest arise. How can I best avoid this?
I am currently unsure whether I should even pursue a side job, as I am not sure how to legally protect myself in this situation. Therefore, I would like to hear from you as an expert in employment law what specific steps I should take to be able to carry out a side job alongside my main job smoothly.
Thank you in advance for your help and I look forward to your support in this important decision.
Sincerely,
Lorenzo Falk
Dear Lorenzo Falk,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding pursuing a side job alongside your main job as a software developer. It is understandable that you want to protect yourself from legal problems with your employer and are unsure of how best to proceed. I will now explain in detail what you should consider in order to be able to carry out a side job smoothly.
First of all, it is important to note that you generally have the right to pursue a side job as long as it does not conflict with your main job and does not violate any non-compete clauses or other contractual agreements. Therefore, it is recommended to first review your employment contract to see if there are any provisions regarding side jobs. If this is the case, you must adhere to these agreements in order to avoid any labor law issues.
Furthermore, you should ensure that the side job is compatible with both the time and content of your main job. It is important not to neglect your main job and to avoid any conflicts of interest. Therefore, I recommend discussing your intentions to pursue a side job with your employer and obtaining their approval. This way, you can ensure that there are no misunderstandings or conflicts.
Additionally, you should consider the legal regulations regarding side jobs. In Germany, for example, there is the Working Hours Act, which prescribes certain rest periods and limits overtime. Make sure to comply with the legal requirements in both your main job and your side job to protect your health and well-being.
Finally, I recommend seeking legal advice to ensure that you consider all aspects of your side job correctly. A specialist lawyer in labor law can help you minimize any potential risks and protect your interests.
I hope that my explanations are helpful to you and that you can make the right decision regarding a side job. If you have any further questions or need legal support, I am happy to assist you.
Sincerely,
Alexander Lenzner
