Outside Employment

A Outside Employment policy explains when employees can take on side work, how to disclose potential conflicts of interest, and the expectations around performance, confidentiality, and not using work time or resources, with jurisdiction-specific adjustments where required.

How to Write an Outside Employment Policy

• Start with "why" and describe the importance of clear communication around outside employment.
• Define what counts as outside work or service.
• State the core rule that outside work must not interfere with job duties or create a conflict of interest.
• Explain the expectation to disclose planned outside roles for conflict review.
• Describe the types of conflicts your organization looks for.
• Reserve the right to require changes or declining an outside role when a conflict exists.
• Set consequences for failing to disclose or resolve conflicts.
• Prohibit outside work on work time and the use of your organization's resources or confidential information for outside work.
• Reinforce that employees must continue meeting performance, conduct, and policy expectations.
• Encourage employees to ask for guidance when they are unsure about a potential conflict.

For advice on writing an Outside Employment policy in a specific jurisdiction, see below.