Doing outside work - opinions needed

[jasonodom]

Hey guys,

I need your opinion on something. I currently work as a GA for a local newspaper. They've always tried telling us that any outside work needs to have our director's approval, as a "conflict-of-interest" could occur - however they won't provide me with a list as to what would be considered as a conflict.

My father-in-law owns a business, and has been running ads with the paper for years (and spends thousands of dollars with the company on this each year). He has asked me to start doing his ads - I have gotten a "no" from my director to do them while on the clock due to my relation with him (I guess it could eventually cause problems); in return I asked if I could do them from home, since of course I would need approval. I was again told "no" - the reason is that it would be ILLEGAL for me to do so, as the company would have to pay me.

What's your opinions on this? Am I being told no for factual reasons? I get paid hourly, so doesn't that mean they can't tell me what to do outside of work, even if it has to do with graphic design? It seems like BS to me, but I don't want to cause any heat with my superiors and fight this. Thanks guys!

[greyghost]

Seems to me you should get paid to do them on the clock, since they are making money on your FIL.

[jlknauff]

the reason is that it would be ILLEGAL for me to do so, as the company would have to pay me.No, that is not illegal. If they were instructing you to work on them from home, then they would be required to pay you, but as you are doing it on your own accord, they would not be required to pay you. The conflict of interest still loosely applies but as it's a newspaper rather than something like a graphic design firm or ad agency, I really don't see it being a problem.

[WannaBrie]

If your father in law normally runs his ads in the newspaper you work for, then I can see the conflict of interest. Normally he would pay the newpaper for the design work, but if you are doing it, then you are essentially taking a paying client away from your employer. Since you have already approached this subject with your employer, I don't see any way around it. At least that's how it seems to me.

[jlknauff]

Normally he would pay the newpaper for the design work, but if you are doing it, then you are essentially taking a paying client away from your employer.Newspapers generally don't charge for the ad design. Just the ad space. If this is the case here, then no conflict exists IMO. If clients pay for ad design, then yes, there is a conflict.

[WannaBrie]

Newspapers generally don't charge for the ad design. Just the ad space. If this is the case here, then no conflict exists IMO. If clients pay for ad design, then yes, there is a conflict.

I'm not sure thats the always the case, if it is, you are right. But the design work could also be rolled into the price the client pays for said ads. In that case, it would still be a conflict. Either way, if the boss has said "no" I don't see how the OP could get away with designing the ads without losing their job.

[DonnaL]

Our paper doesn't charge for designing the ads... I know this because I spent 4 hours design an ad, and then the client didn't run.... no money was collected for the hours spent designing the ad. I think that's wrong. Is there a way you can check?

[Ovaltine]

Could your father-in-law not request (through the newspaper) that you be the one to work on his ads? I would think if he spends that much on ad space, his opinion would carry some weight.

[Crimson]

You can work on outside stuff at work while on the clock? That should awesome. You just need to make sure they approve to work on it when your slow? That would be awesome. Sadly your just a body but if they want you ro sit there when there is nothing to tod- that's hard

[jasonodom]

The newspaper doesn't charge for graphics, just space - that's a known fact as we've had this discussion numerous times. If we design a spec ad and it doesn't sell, then the client pays nothing - we simply just lose an opportunity for a potential client. He has asked that I be the one to work on his ads, but that request has been denied - as the company says it would be a conflict as well (mainly because certain favors may be asked as opposed to a normal client).

It really upsets me because I like working for this company, but I just feel they're not taking anything else into consideration. I mean I don't make ALOT of money or anything, and I'm paid hourly, so I don't see their justification in any of this - but at the same time I don't want to lose my job just because I feel they're saying "no" for no reason.

[BJMRGTIVR6]

I can see where they might think you will spend more time on his ad or something to that area. However, if you designed the ad on your time, and then submitted it to your FIL and he said, he has his ads made from an outside vendor using specs he has obtained from the AdSalesperson, I cannot see them asking if it was you or who created the ad. When I worked at a local paper, we'd design some ads and some just came in "camera ready".