Should I Tell My Boss About My Side Hustle? (8 Brilliant Ways To Communicate)
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Should I Tell My Boss About My Side Hustle? (8 Brilliant Ways To Communicate)
Today, 39% of the global workforce have started one form of a side gig or the other.
Whether it is to make extra cash, pursue a passion or increase your experience, side hustles are taking over.
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Moreover, the advent of digital technologies has helped make side hustles easier. As a result, one can earn almost any amount of money anywhere.
No matter how lucrative a 9-5 job may be, there is always a drive to start a side hustle to explore other work areas and make more money.
While most employers find side hustles cool, most do not.
Thus, you could create a massive room for distrust or even put your job on the line by incorrectly communicating your side hustle to your boss.
Undoubtedly, there is no law mandating you to communicate your side hustle to your boss.
However, it is a good decision in most cases.
Thus, we have outlined eight brilliant ways you can communicate your side hustle to your boss and how to implement them.
However, we will first look at the most crucial factor to consider before deciding whether or not to tell your boss.
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Key Highlights
🎯 39% of the global workforce have started one form of a side gig or the other.
🎯 There is no law mandating you to communicate your side hustle to your boss.
🎯 Your fate depends on your relationship with your boss.
🎯 Remember to improve your productivity.
🎯 Some side hustles improve your work skills.
🎯 Make your intentions as straightforward as possible.
🎯 Praise your boss and give them proper recognition when due.
🎯 If there are strict rules against side hustles in your place of work, telling you would cost you your job.
SEE ALSO: 15 Side Hustles That Make A Lot Of Money Without Selling Your Soul
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SEE ALSO: Ultimate List of 50 Side Hustles that Trends in 2022
SEE ALSO: 12 Part-Time Night Jobs That Pay $1000 Per Month
What To Consider Before Telling Your Boss About Your Side Hustle
Before making a move to tell your boss about your side hustle, it is necessary to look at your company’s constitution carefully.
You need to thoroughly read between the lines of your contract and your company’s handbook to avoid sounding unprofessional.
While a few companies accept side hustles, most do not.
If you happen to be in a company where side jobs are not allowed, you could get yourself fired or even sued for having a side hustle.
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On the other hand, if you work in a company that allows side hustles (with conditions), you can tell your boss via the communication methods given in this article.
8 Brilliant Ways To Communicate With Your Boss
If you have concluded that a side hustle is perfect for you, then it’s high time you told your boss.
Moreover, it pays to be honest.
Here are eight brilliant ideas for communicating your side hustle to your boss without wasting time.
1. Improve On Your Relationship First
Truth be told, whether or not to disclose your side hustle depends on your relationship with your boss.
Moreover, this is the foremost thing that would determine your fate.
Improving your relationship with your boss would enable you to understand better what to expect when you disclose your side hustle to
them.
If you have an inflexible boss, you could find it challenging to convince them that your new side hustle would not affect your productivity.
Thus, an excellent way to begin the whole process is to create a good relationship with your boss to make things easier, even if they go wrong.
Spilling the news of a side hustle to a boss who already has a watchful eye on you could be a wrong move.
Moreover, this could only lead to confirmation of negative assertions and even put your job on the line in the worst-case scenario.
On the contrary, if you have a great relationship with your boss, you could craft time to make a quick conversation, leading to a positive outcome.
2. Improve On Your Productivity
Upon spilling the news of a side hustle to your boss, you place yourself on a watchlist even if you don’t get sacked.
“Michael (name changed), who worked for a successful export company, summoned the courage to explain his side hustle to his HRM at some point.
Three weeks later, he got a sack letter stating clearly that his long-term service and commitment to the company were not guaranteed. They had already reached a replacement for him.”
As revealed in a forum comment on Quora, from the whole story, we discovered that Michael lost his job because he was allegedly less productive after communicating his side hustle to his boss.
Even if you do not get sacked, spilling the news of a side hustle would place you in a tight end where your boss would monitor all your actions.
In this case, even the slightest error goes as a flaw resulting from your side hustle.
Thus, while communicating your side hustle to your boss using the other ideas on this list, remember to double your productivity.
This move would pass a positive message to your boss and convince them that you are capable of running both your side hustle and your day job perfectly.
3. Hit On The Benefits Of Your Side Hustle
If your side hustle happens to be related to your day job, you could use that as an advantage while communicating with your boss.
In this case, you can consider explaining how your side hustle allows you to pursue your passions further, leading you to higher productivity at work.
Some side hustles improve your skills, resulting in higher productivity in your day job.
In some cases, side hustles might enhance your time management skills, work discipline, and project management skills.
These benefits are, of course, not present with all side hustles.
Some side hustles help hone these traits in employees, so it is left for you to convince your boss.
4. Make Your Intentions Clear
An essential factor to consider while communicating your side hustle to your boss is to make your intentions as straightforward as possible.
With that in mind, a brilliant idea while communicating your side hustle to your boss would be to reassure them that you intend to remain committed to your day job.
Unless in a case where you do not plan to maintain your day job, making it clear that you intend to keep your day job could help you out.
5. Be Complimentary
We are all humans, and whether we like it or not, compliments do get to us somehow.
Thus, you could utilize this opportunity to praise your boss and give them proper recognition when due.
This action, of course, should not be done excessively.
6. Avoid Using Social Media/eMails
Unless in a case where you are a remote worker, the worst way to tell your boss about a side hustle is via social media or email.
No matter how shy or doubtful you may be, setting up a formal meeting and spilling the news one-on-one is the best idea.
As a work-related issue, randomly informing your boss of a side hustle via email is not only disrespectful but also unprofessional.
Thus, a brilliant method of communication would be to meet your boss and discuss things physically.
7. Spill The News To Your Boss In A Formal Meeting Outside Work
You could consider setting up a small formal meeting rather than pulling up a quick random conversation about your side hustle with your boss.
This conversation should be outside your work environment and during your free time (maybe on weekends).
You can even schedule a small dinner to convey your message.
Via this structure, you can give better explanations without being rushed. As a result, you will have more time to address your perspective adequately.
Also, you will have enough time to clarify if you are still interested in your day job and intend to maintain a trusting relationship with your boss continuously.
8. Be Observant
The reality remains that bosses are times hard to understand.
Thus, you must be highly observant to ensure you don’t get caught up in the wrong side of a conversation.
While a simple joke may seem funny to you, it may come off harsh or pushy to your boss.
Thus, you should carefully watch your boss’s reaction at all times and make sure your statements are as clear and straightforward as possible.
While it is advisable to get a little personal while spilling the news of a side hustle, remember not to keep it too casual.
Moreover, taking your conversation too far might eventually land you in some unforeseen trouble.
Final Thoughts
There are numerous brilliant ways to communicate with your boss when spilling the news of a side hustle.
However, we have carefully outlined some of the best in this article.
With these brilliant communication ideas, you can easily convey the news of your side hustle to your boss without hassle.
The methods outlined in this article are effective when used together.
However, these communication methods are not for people who work in companies with strict rules against side hustles.
In such a case, communicating your side hustle to your boss would cost you your job.
Thus, it is vital to understand the rules of your host organization.
