Should You Tell Your Boss About Your Side Hustle?

Having some sort of side hustle in addition to your day job has become more and more commonplace here in the UK.  In fact, 25% of the working population have some sort of extra income coming in on the side.  It’s definitely a smart move both for your wallet and for your career.

But the question niggling at the back of your mind, however, is do you need to tell your boss about it? Are you legally, or ethically obliged to?  What impacts could it have if you do?

There are a few things to consider when trying to decide to tell your day job about your side hustle. Let’s dig into them.

Are you contractually obliged to get their permission?

Your first step should be to check your employment contract.  Some employers have clauses stating you are not allowed to pursue any other work or business opportunities outside of work unless you have written permission to do so.  This doesn’t stop you from having a side hustle, it just means you need to go through the necessary channels to get permission so you don’t jeopardise your primary job.

Most smart employers these days understand that making some extra money on the side is a common pursuit and so you shouldn’t really have much difficulty getting permission unless what you are wanting to do is in direct competition with your employer.  This leads us on to our next point…

Is your side hustle a conflict of interest?

If your side hustle is connected to the industry your employer operates in then there may be a conflict of interest you need to address. Of course, if you work at a bank, for example, and your side hustle is embroidering children’s clothes, you’re pretty safe. But, if you are using the same skills you use for your day job for your side hustle, then it might be worth having a quick chat with HR about what you are planning to do.

You do not have to give every detail of what you are doing, just a broad outline so they can give you a steer of what is and what isn’t acceptable to the company.  This way you can move forward with your side hustle confident that you’re not going to jeopardise your current job but can still utilise your skills in the field you know best for a little extra cash on the side.

How is your relationship with your boss?

If you’ve got a good trusting relationship with your boss, then you may want to tell them about what you are up to outside of work. 

You still need to be careful, however.  No boss, no matter how friendly, is going to want to think that your priorities lie elsewhere, or find you sneakily working on another project during working hours.  Making it clear that you know the boundaries and have no intention of stepping over them is always a good idea.

Do you feel anxious not telling your boss about your side hustle?

For some the thought of telling their bosses about their side hustle wouldn’t even cross their minds, after all what you do in your free time is up to you. For others though there may be that guilty feeling lurking in the pit of your stomach that you’re doing something you shouldn’t, and telling your boss so you’re not hiding anything may make you feel better.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, your side hustle should be something that brings you joy, energy, and maybe a bit of extra income—not a source of stress or secrecy. A quick look at your contract, an honest assessment of your situation, and maybe even an open chat with your boss could be all it takes to get peace of mind. After all, building something for yourself doesn’t have to mean risking what you’ve already built with your 9–5. It’s all about balance—and making sure you’re setting yourself up for success on all fronts.