I have a side business with a website in a particular space (known to be a very competitive space as well). My company has taken on a client in that space.
Should I disclose that I have a small website in this space? It shouldn't conflict with the goals of the company, or the client, and currently my boss doesn't really know about my extracurriculars.
The question is - how do you determine a conflict of interest, and decide when to disclose it, when disclosing it might hurt you?
Yes, you should mention it. The company can probably solve this by assigning you to work on something that doesn't put you in conflict with this customer.
Not declaring it puts you and the company in a much more awkward position when (not if) it is discovered later.
You need to check with your company's policies on disclosure. Many have governance policies & procedures for handling potential conflicts, including rules for determining whether something is a conflict or not.
My employer requires that I disclose all outside activities that may conflict (business or time/attention) with my ability to perform my job properly. That means side jobs of any kind, volunteering, etc. The governance committee then reviews the disclosures & determines if they represent a conflict of interest.
Disclosure may not be required before hiring, but it'll probably be in the paperwork you fill out when you show up the first day.
In an environment like mine, it's generally best for your continued employment to be up-front and honest, and disclose things even if you don't think they really present a problem.
Regardless of the outcome of the disclosure, do not work on that side project while on the clock, nor with company resources.
