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Conflict of interest question.

by bigredrassler
8 replies
I have recently been recruited by a company to sell offline credit card processing, but they also provide online processing.

I have a business that this may pose a conflict of interest (working as an affiliate for online processing companies). I will deal with this with my recruiter.

Here's my problem. If I do take this job, would it be unethical to use the experience, and even the contacts made, in selling my own service to clients?

I want to stay above board(and don't want to be sued). Any advice would be helpful.
#conflict #interest #question
  • Profile picture of the author Steve Sieverding
    In my humble opinion, you can always use your experience in side jobs and other jobs in the future... they don't own your experience. I'm guessing they want to hire you based on your experience online right?

    Contacts that are provided from the company that recruited you on the other hand.... that would be a BIG no-no. You can't do that and would probably lead to termination and possibly getting sued.
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  • Profile picture of the author bigredrassler
    that's what I was afraid of. The problem is this. My services will be offered to local businesses, many of which I currently frequent. The company looking to hire me, or rather contract out to me, wants me to sell their services to these same businesses. So what is my solution?

    What I've come up with: Hire someone else to sell my services, avoid selling their(the employment opp) product and service to companies I want to sell to, don't take the job, act only as a consultant for my own business idea and allow my partners to build the company.
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  • Profile picture of the author johnmorales
    Originally Posted by bigredrassler View Post

    I have recently been recruited by a company to sell offline credit card processing, but they also provide online processing.

    I have a business that this may pose a conflict of interest (working as an affiliate for online processing companies). I will deal with this with my recruiter.

    Here's my problem. If I do take this job, would it be unethical to use the experience, and even the contacts made, in selling my own service to clients?

    I want to stay above board(and don't want to be sued). Any advice would be helpful.
    I don't think its ever a good idea to compete against your own employer. It's unethical and can lead to legal problems.

    If at all possible, I would try to find a job that would not compete with *My* business.

    Your business is your future. Jobs are temporary and builds somebody elses' future.

    Just my opinion.
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  • Profile picture of the author bigredrassler
    You're exactly right

    I was just trying to justify doing this because I could start selling immediately and there is no out of pocket expense. But I don't want any problems for my business, even though it won't start paying me for months, the long term gains from this business idea far outweigh what I could earn from this job, and not just monetary compensation, but freedom and control over my own life.

    I guess I will take the insurance job, it doesn't compete but will take a month to get started and $140 for state licensing and study materials that I don't have right now. Probably ought to finish that report I started last night so I can have the money when I need it.
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  • Profile picture of the author paulie888
    I'm sure that this company will make you sign a non-compete agreement. Stay on the safe side and err on the side of caution, you'd definitely not want to be breaking any rules by utilizing the contacts you pick up at your work for your own business.
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  • Profile picture of the author margocales
    You will find in your main employment a clause about not competing and also maybe another clause that you have to go a period of time after leaving your employment before you can use the knowledge gained.
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  • Profile picture of the author Andyhenry
    If you're doing anything that negatively impacts their business - you should stop or you could end up in hot water.
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    nothing to see here.

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  • Profile picture of the author bigredrassler
    Thanks for all the feedback guys. I called my recruiter today and declined the offer after explaining the conflict of interest. He understood, and I did make sure I didn't burn my bridge by asking if he could put me in touch with the right people at the corporate office if we decided that their service is the best one to offer our clients.

    Thanks again for the feedback. I love this forum and owe a debt I will someday pay to the warriors new and old who have helped me on my journey
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