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I am a software developer full time, as well as a wedding photographer on weekends. I normally arrive to work 20 minutes early, and leave 15 minutes late. My lunch breaks are 30 minutes long.

Is it acceptable practice for me to work on my wedding business (writing articles, answering emails etc) during my 30 minute lunch break, and before 9am in the office?

Barney Chambers
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2 Answers2

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Policies included in your employee manual, or asking human resources specifically, can help you if you can proceed.

Normally though, you can proceed with your own business as long as :

  1. You do not spend company time on this.
  2. Your business does not conflict with the interests of the company.
  3. Your business is not illegal in any fashion.
  4. Your business will not impede your current responsibilities in any way.
  5. You aren't using company resources (including computers) to do non-company things. Depending on the company, this can become a sticking point, for some
Malcolm Salvador
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  • You aren't using company resources (including computers) to do non-company things. Depending on the company, this can become a sticking point, for some.
    • – Steve-O Jun 16 '17 at 01:51
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    I'd extend "You do not spend company time on this" to "You do not use company resources for this" - resources including printing, computers, and internet... Some companies might ignore computer and internet usage for "personal" things, but others could see it as an actionable breach. – HorusKol Jun 16 '17 at 01:52
  • @Steve-O point added sir. – Malcolm Salvador Jun 16 '17 at 02:33
  • @HorusKol point is the same with Steve-O's, sir. Still thanks – Malcolm Salvador Jun 16 '17 at 02:34
  • yeah, we submitted at the same time... – HorusKol Jun 16 '17 at 03:21
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    I'll just add that you should consider avoiding even the appearance of using company resources. – DLS3141 Aug 10 '17 at 15:46