Running a Business Along With a Government Job

Running a business while working for the government is a good idea if you have the time and the desire. However, you must be aware of the possible difficulties you may face while working for the government. In order to avoid such issues, you can hire an HR consultant who can help you resolve any conflict between your business and government job.

Can I run a business along with a government job?

Whether you’re a government employee or a private business owner, there are certain rules and regulations about running a side business while on the clock. First and foremost, you need to seek approval from your superiors before engaging in any business activities. For example, a federal employee cannot sell government products to private contractors. Nevertheless, some states allow government employees to moonlight.

Is it better than a government job?

Both business and government jobs carry certain risks. In business, you may be working without any guarantee of profit, and some clients may even think they do not have to pay. Hence, it is best to stay with a steady source of income and stick with a government job if you are not comfortable with financial instability.

Both government and private jobs provide certain benefits and advantages. Government jobs are more secure and have fixed working hours. They also provide travel allowances. Travelling allowances, known as LTC, are provided to employees once they have worked for four years. In either case, you should respect your present job, but aim for a better one.

Government jobs are higher paid. However, you have to take into account that government employees are expected to take on more responsibility and are expected to set a good example for the public. Government jobs also provide more opportunities for career advancement. Since the government sector is so large, there are more open positions and better training opportunities.

Exemptions for government employees from running a business

Government employees can work in certain private businesses under an administrative exemption. The administrative exemption is available to employees who have primary duties related to the management and general operations of a business. Examples of this type of work include being a consultant or adviser to a private employer. If you are a government employee and wish to start your own business, you should consider applying for the exemption.

The administrative exemption requires that an employee exercise independent judgment and discretion in their decisions. This involves evaluating and comparing various options before acting. The employee must act after examining the different possibilities and weighing the consequences of each one. This exemption does not apply to employees who perform routine tasks or who have ordinary duties.