Outside work while employed in the archviz field.

[Thunderkor]

Well after two years of lurking, I'm finally posting something.

 

I've been doing arch viz for about 2 1/2 years, working for a real estate company. I love the work, doing renders for pre-construction homes, but the pay quite honestly is not very good. I will eventually move on to seek greener pastures, but for now there are other reasons keeping me here.

 

I've considered taking on freelance work on the side, but I'm concerned about the ethics of this. Obviously taking existing clients from my employer would be a big no-no, but I know people who would never do business with the company anyway who may be needing some renders, and given that the likelihood of me getting any sort of raise seems pretty low, I really would like to earn some extra money.

 

That's why I was wondering, for you other people who work in the industry, do you do outside jobs beyond those that you do for your employer? If so, are there any other ethical guidelines I should consider, other than not taking business away from my employer?

 

Thanks for your time.

[Aaron2004]

Yeah...I do. Each time I get a job, I ask my boss. It's pretty laid back where I work, so it's an easy question. I mainly do jobs for friends of the family, etc.

 

Also, you may have signed a non-compete agreement, so keep that in mind.

[rotten42]

Well after two years of lurking, I'm finally posting something.

 

I've been doing arch viz for about 2 1/2 years, working for a real estate company. I love the work, doing renders for pre-construction homes, but the pay quite honestly is not very good. I will eventually move on to seek greener pastures, but for now there are other reasons keeping me here.

 

I've considered taking on freelance work on the side, but I'm concerned about the ethics of this. Obviously taking existing clients from my employer would be a big no-no, but I know people who would never do business with the company anyway who may be needing some renders, and given that the likelihood of me getting any sort of raise seems pretty low, I really would like to earn some extra money.

 

That's why I was wondering, for you other people who work in the industry, do you do outside jobs beyond those that you do for your employer? If so, are there any other ethical guidelines I should consider, other than not taking business away from my employer?

 

Thanks for your time.

 

 

 

Do do outsude work from my employer. My agreement states that I can't do any jobs within their market. Other than that I am free to do as please.

 

So I can't do work for competitors in two Provinces but everywhere else I'm good. Most of my client's are in the US anyway.

[ralopez]

I would follow the advice from the previous to post. My experience is that is better to do work that is not related or close to the firm you are working. I had on esituation which is difficult to deal with, the firm did not believe in 3D animation to explain the project , but the company came to me to do the work. Very difficult in the sense the the firm I worked for just did not understand the capabilities of 3D, so they lost a lot of jobs, and (2) two, never understood why they hires me, if is was not for 3D modeling and animation. So be very cautious how you process with the diferent jobs you will undertake.

[Brian Cassil]

This subject has come up on the forums before. I think this really all depends on the employer. The one thing I would most definetly say is don't do anything in secret. My feeling is most employers are OK with doing work on the side so long as it isn't for a competing architecture firm, or developer if you work for a developer. Also you will want to make sure that you still put in "an honest days work for an honest days pay" at your day job.

 

In my case I work full time for an Arch firm and the side work is all for developers. It has actually led to the Arch firm I work for in getting some extra projects through my contact so it's a win/win and everyone is happy.

[Thunderkor]

Thanks for the replies everyone. My employer is actually a real estate firm, and the work I do here is for developers who list their developments with us. I've had some of the developers approach me in the past about doing some outside jobs for them on projects they are not listing with, and I've declined on those occasions.

 

My employer is real leery about anything that might constitute a conflict of interest. I'll just have to talk to my boss and find out what would and wouldn't be okay with him. I've a feeling he won't want me doing ANYTHING outside though.

[Brian Cassil]

My employer is real leery about anything that might constitute a conflict of interest. I'll just have to talk to my boss and find out what would and wouldn't be okay with him. I've a feeling he won't want me doing ANYTHING outside though.

 

That's too bad. For me, that would be cause to look for employment elsewhere.

[Thunderkor]

That's too bad. For me, that would be cause to look for employment elsewhere.

 

Thanks, well, that's not outside the realm of possibility either.

[Zdravko Barisic]

One (stupid) question:

-HOW your bosscan know if you work outside? If you do not work with his clients and work for some people miles away?

Why so fear about that?

[hughie]

One (stupid) question:

-HOW your bosscan know if you work outside? If you do not work with his clients and work for some people miles away?

Why so fear about that?

 

The industry is small enough for word to get around that you are doing work on the side.

I'm luck, my boss knows that I take extra work on, but if it looks like a conflict of interests I have no qualms about bringing the job into the company.

[znotlin]

If you are using software your boss bought, and their computer, and their electricity, than you need to ask, otherwise it is dishonest, and you are stealing. You might even tell them that you are having a hard time with the present salary, but you like working there so if they'd let you do this it'd make everyone's life easier. Other options are:

 

1. let them bid the visualization project, and you'd do the work - that way they can look more full service, you don't have to work nights, they make more money, and they're responsible for collections.

2. offer them 10% of the fee if they don't want to be involved, and then boost up your fee appropriately.

 

Discussion about what you can get away with is for the less scrupulous. Live your life right.