Should You Tell Your Employer About Your Side Hustle? This One Non-Negotiable Step Will Reveal the Answer, Expert Says. By definition, a side hustle takes place in addition to (and likely completely outside of) a 9-5 — but that doesn't always mean it should stay a secret.
By Amanda Breen Edited by Jessica Thomas
Key Takeaways
- Fifty percent of U.S. adults have a side hustle — and may wonder what to disclose to an employer.
- Dan Doromal, co-owner and vice president of operations for Everest Ice and Water Systems, offers a unique perspective.
Plenty of Americans are picking up side hustles to earn some extra cash. Thirty-three percent of people say they need their side hustle to keep up with regular living expenses, while 27% say it helps fund discretionary spending, according to a Bankrate survey. A side hustle, by its very definition, is a gig that takes place in addition to (and probably outside of) a 9-5 or other primary occupation.
So, if you are among the 50% of U.S. adults with a side hustle, do you have to let your employer know?
Dan Doromal, co-owner and vice president of operations for Everest Ice and Water Systems, has a unique perspective on the question. He and his business partner, Ben Gaskill, run an ice vending machine company that offers a "cost-effective" solution for on-site ice production — and supports people in using the machines to set up their own businesses.
IImage Credit: Everest Ice and Water Systems. Dan Doromal.
The company provides "educational and informative material" on its website and social media channels, Doromal says, noting that Everest client Steve Slagel was able to generate about $30,000 in one year with just one machine.
"If [employees with a side hustle have a] work environment [that] makes room for integrity and transparency and they feel safe to disclose they are making money outside of their 9-to-5, then honesty is the best policy," Doromal tells Entrepreneur. "Their managers and team members might provide support and even help cover for them if they need to make a quick maintenance check during working hours."
Of course, Doromal acknowledges that not all employers will support employees with side hustles. As a result, people with additional gigs aren't always "confident enough" to disclose them, and they might experience the stress that comes with keeping the secret from their colleagues.
Before anything else, Doromal suggests looking closely at your contract to ensure your side hustle avoids any conflict of interest. If it doesn't, how much you choose to share with your employer and co-workers ultimately depends on your comfort level.
Regardless of how forthcoming you decide to be about your side hustle at work, Doromal recommends taking a second important step to help set yourself up for success: Create a schedule to balance your side hustle responsibilities with those of your 9-5. "Building a routine can help avoid stress and burnout, which is common among first-time side-hustlers and business owners," he explains.
Related: 15 Weird and Wonderful Side Hustles You Never Knew Existed
What's more, Doromal says that side hustles can help employees cultivate important skills, which then can translate directly to their 9-5 jobs.
"Side hustles allow employees to build an entrepreneurial mindset and gain new skills or hone existing ones, like problem-solving, managing a social media account, networking and creating new valuable business connections," Doromal says. "These skills can then be brought back to the main job, making the side hustle employee more valuable."
