Outside Employment

Most universities have policies that govern outside employment, such as consulting or second jobs. Those policies protect the institution against faculty members who would abuse the flexible work hours that are characteristic of the profession. Occasionally people will overcommit themselves in their off-campus work to the detriment of the university, or will engage in enterprises that may sully the “good name” of the institution.

As a dean I rarely have prospective faculty members ask about our policies on outside employment, but occasionally it does come up in a job interview. I always quote one of my mentors, who once said he gave his approval of outside work “as long as it advances the mission of the university, time-wise and reputation-wise.”

Have you had bad experiences with colleagues who abused the opportunity to secure outside employment?