Can I get fired for doing side work?

An at-will employee can be fired at any time, as long as the reason isn’t illegal. Your employer can’t fire you because of your race or in retaliation for reporting unsafe working conditions, for example. If you work in one of these states, then your employer is probably free to fire you for working a second job.

Why is moonlighting considered as a violation?

Even without a written noncompete agreement, an employer has the right to expect loyalty from his other employees. This duty makes it unethical to solicit business from your employer’s customers or interfere with his business relationship with them.

Is moonlighting breach of contract?

Moonlighting isn’t illegal. Many of those who choose to take on a second job do so in order to supplement their income or make ends meet. However, an employee’s second job could be a breach of contract if your business has policies against moonlighting or conflicts of interest.

Is moonlighting allowed?

Moonlighting is Generally Protected Activity The laws of California generally protect the rights of California workers to freely work. California Labor Code section 96 essentially prohibits employers from punishing employees who engage in moonlighting in their free time.

What is the penalty for moonlighting in Singapore?

On the other hand, a foreign employee holding a Work Permit or S Pass who is caught moonlighting, may be punished with a fine of up to $20,000 or imprisonment of up to 2 years.

Do I need to let my employer about a second job?

While employees do not have a legal obligation to disclose any other employment to their employers, many employers will restrict you from working elsewhere via a clause in your contract of employment.

Should employees be allowed to moonlight?

Moonlighting does not just benefit the employee; in many respects, it benefits the employer, too. Of course, if an employer believes that an employee’s second job will jeopardize — or is already jeopardizing — performance in their first job, then it’s the employer’s duty to address the issue.

What is a moonlight clause?

The main purpose of most moonlighting policies is to set out your expectation that employees will treat their work at your business as their primary job and will not allow other jobs to interfere with the performance of the primary job. You may want to consider this clause for your policy.

Will my freelancing or moonlighting business get me fired?

You can’t find out for sure if your freelancing or moonlighting business will get you fired or not unless you ask your employer directly before you start. If you want to ask before starting a side business, I suggest you ask your direct supervisor as well as your human resources department.

Is it illegal to moonlight as an employee?

Even if it doesn’t violate a written policy, moonlighting can still be illegal (and can get you sued) if it violates a “duty of loyalty” to an employer – for instance, if you use an employer’s ideas or customers to start your own business.

Can you get fired for freelancing on the side?

Believe it or not, I’ve seen people get fired because they were freelancing or moonlighting on the side of their day job. These people shouldn’t have been shocked when they were fired. The problem is, many people never consider that what they do for extra income on the side can end up causing them to lose their main source of income.