Side businesses for govt lawyers

[Anonymous]

Does anyone have a side business that doesn't require big capital startup? I find I have a lot of free time now that kids are older and I've become very efficient in my longtime job. Doesn't have to be a huge money maker.

[Anonymous]

I don't have any suggestions for you, but I would STRONGLY urge you to discuss this idea with your agency ethics officer. This-

Anonymous wrote:older and I've become very efficient in my longtime job..

part of your post was quite troubling to me. I am reading it to suggest that you think you can get your gov't job done in less than the hours you are assigned to be working. You absolutely cannot work another job on gov't time. You can stare at the walls on gov't time. But if you are earning money from another source while you are supposed to be working for the gov't you will be in serious serious trouble.

[Anonymous]

In my office, we need written permission to moonlight.

[Anonymous]

Generally speaking, you could do any non-legal job that doesn't have business with the government. Barista. Travel agent. Personal trainer. Newspaper delivery. LSAT coach.

What you could not do is anything on government time or using government resources. That will quickly lead to removal from federal service.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Generally speaking, you could do any non-legal job that doesn't have business with the government. Barista. Travel agent. Personal trainer. Newspaper delivery. LSAT coach.

What you could not do is anything on government time or using government resources. That will quickly lead to removal from federal service.

Not OP but what if you do not do work for most of the time you are at the office and spend the time doing non-work things. And then also not put in the required duty hours at the office? Is that time sheet fraud?

[Anonymous]

Whatever you do, don't go hang a shingle as a "photographer" or "designer" without training. It's annoying and dilutes the field's professionalism. And everyone and their mother is doing it these days.

If you're creative, try opening an Etsy shop or even make it your hobby to buy cheap and then consign clothing items, or resell antique furniture via estate sale deals. But I can't see this being "fun" unless it's creative and has very little administrative work.

[Anonymous]

"Not OP but what if you do not do work for most of the time you are at the office and spend the time doing non-work things. And then also not put in the required duty hours at the office? Is that time sheet fraud? "

It's 1/3 of the employees in my office. And grounds for dismissal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"Not OP but what if you do not do work for most of the time you are at the office and spend the time doing non-work things. And then also not put in the required duty hours at the office? Is that time sheet fraud? "

It's 1/3 of the employees in my office. And grounds for dismissal.

Have any of these employees been dismissed? How did that come about?

[Anonymous]

To answer your question, how does it come about? Managerial initiative. Most managers have no desire to make the waves necessary to do the groundwork in order to remove someone for misconduct. Because it's a PITA. And there will be litigation. Even if it's completely deserved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"Not OP but what if you do not do work for most of the time you are at the office and spend the time doing non-work things. And then also not put in the required duty hours at the office? Is that time sheet fraud? "

It's 1/3 of the employees in my office. And grounds for dismissal.

Have any of these employees been dismissed? How did that come about?

Yes. Reported to IG hotline.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"Not OP but what if you do not do work for most of the time you are at the office and spend the time doing non-work things. And then also not put in the required duty hours at the office? Is that time sheet fraud? "

It's 1/3 of the employees in my office. And grounds for dismissal.

Have any of these employees been dismissed? How did that come about?

My office had personnel budget cuts, some of the dead weights were dismissed. They received severance pay, unemployment, and going away parties, but there was no question as to why the slackers were let go.

Some were later replaced by workers at much lower pay grades and/or part timers.

It was a real wake up call for some folks, amazingly not all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"Not OP but what if you do not do work for most of the time you are at the office and spend the time doing non-work things. And then also not put in the required duty hours at the office? Is that time sheet fraud? "

It's 1/3 of the employees in my office. And grounds for dismissal.

Have any of these employees been dismissed? How did that come about?

NP here. In my wife's office 2 employees have been removed for not working during office hours and doing non-work related things. In general, it is hard to fire a civil servant, but fraud is one of the easiest ways to fire one. And that process can move VERY quickly in extreme cases. It's mostly about the management finding out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"Not OP but what if you do not do work for most of the time you are at the office and spend the time doing non-work things. And then also not put in the required duty hours at the office? Is that time sheet fraud? "

It's 1/3 of the employees in my office. And grounds for dismissal.

Have any of these employees been dismissed? How did that come about?

NP here. In my wife's office 2 employees have been removed for not working during office hours and doing non-work related things. In general, it is hard to fire a civil servant, but fraud is one of the easiest ways to fire one. And that process can move VERY quickly in extreme cases. It's mostly about the management finding out.

Yes. And the consequences would be more severe (removal rather than, say, reprimand or suspension) for doing a side business on government time versus reading a book or sleeping at your desk.

OP, assuming you mean you are efficient at your job so you have lots of energy to do side business when you get home -- not on government time -- you still need to consult your agency ethics officer before you do anything. My agency requires written permission from the ethics officer and various supervisors. This is a pretty common requirement.

[Anonymous]

This is one reason why we are so deep in debt and counting. There are too many govt employees so many of them are not working while they are being paid to work.

If you have so much free time at work why not ask for more responsibility. Have a conscience maybe.

[Anonymous]

I know at least one person who works for the feds who says he messes around on the internet half the day.