Is it unethical to be a part time SAP trainer while having a full time job ?

[abhijeet_singh2]

Hi Folks,

I am in Bangalore and I have been contacted multiple times by people or training consultancy to offer part time training.

So far I have refrained as i have found it dangerous and might get me fired from my current Job.

I am seeking guidance by those who are into this practice and can guide me with the precautions which i need to take.

People working in firms like Accenture, SAP, IBM or other biggies will be more helpful.

Thanks

Abhijeet

[Former Member]

Abhijeet,

It depends on your work contract. In the United States, I've had contracts that specifically say that NO outside work of ANY kind can be undertaken without written permission. (And yes, just for clarification I asked if that included non-SAP, non-IT work, and for that company they indicated that even non-SAP, non-IT "moonlighting" was not allowed. They expected all work efforts to be focused to support their business and their customers. For that company anything remotely SAP outside of work for pay was specifically forbidden.)

I've worked for other companies that either didn't have an explicit policy (in which case I would have asked HR to be sure if it was allowed) or companies that outlined what kinds of activities were ok (non-SAP, non-IT ok) and which were prohibited (anything they viewed as a conflict of interest).

If your company does not sell training (for example, you are a consultant) you might have a decent shot of getting them to agree as long as you're doing it in your off hours and you're not spending any company time prepping for you teach time. If your company is in the training business, then obviously they're not going to want to let you steal business from them.

Check with HR. Make it clear that this is something that you were considering, not something you are already doing and that you wanted to be 100% sure they were ok with it before you proceeded and that you're ok with not going forward if they say no.

If you are NOT getting paid, (Say, for example, you are working with a charity that helps veterans or unemployed folks train for work.) then I don't believe in the US they would have any grounds to fire you, but it would still be safer to check first.

Hope this helps!

Best regards,

  --Tom

[former_member182378]

Abhijeet,

If your question is more in the lines of legal / illegal, then it is a matter of the rules of agreement between you and your employer!

But if your question is in lines with ethical / unethical, I think giving good, quality education to new comers in the field of SAP is "right" (ethical, correct).

By virtue of showing "the path" to newcomers in SAP, (e.g. explaining not only configuration but also the business rationale behind these) is not only ethical but also a "favor" to the SAP world!

[former_member183879]

Hi Abhijeet,

The issue is not just about ethical but extremely intermingled with legal issues.

To go issue by issue

As already mentioned it depends on the type of employment contract between you and your employer. If your employer allows you to take a second part time employement, then it is legal to pursue this oppurtunity, otherwise it is illegal.  Your remuneration is not material to the contract with your employer. That means if your employer says that you cannot do a second job, then you cannot work irrespective of whether you get salary or not.

The second dimension is more on the ethical front. If the organisation which employs you for the second job is using the licensed version of SAP for training, then validate the legal validity with your employer. If the organisation is using a pirated version and asking you to handle training (rampant in India) it is unethical, you dont even need to validate the legal permissibility of exploring this option.  There were lot of people involved in this training practice using pirated version and get detained for cyber piracy.

I think this should give you a holistic perspective.

[Former Member]

Dear Abhijeet,

Your question is very much subjective and there is no direct and 1:1 answer to your question.

A agree to all the answers and suggestions given by seniors above and with all the due respect, I would say that :

Ethically it is implied, taking care of your employer's interest, even in absence of any written or expressed agreement.

In India, if we look at all the legal compliance that either a business man or a professional consultants needs to fulfill, you will find it Impossible to survive.

Economical situation has left no option but to opt unethical ways to survive, only thing is you should know the techniques how to justify yourself and successfully do it.

Under any employment contract, does it require taking permission to educate your younger brother or sister or your next generation ?

Education should be treated as a noble job and not as a business.

Only thing is make sure that your interest do not clash with your employer's interest.

Regards

Chirag Shah

[abhijeet_singh2]

HI Chirag,

Now u r talking what i wanted to know ..

At present i don't have guts to ask my manager for his permission, as it will invite unnecessary question and suspicion.

Technique is THE thing which i am looking for, i was hoping for answer from someone who is already into practice who can guide me with the PRECAUTIONS i need to take.

As far as i know .. people do it but they don't disclose or talk about it in the office ..

Thanks

Abhijeet 

[Former Member]

Dear Abhijeet,

As I told you there is no direct and 1:1 answer to your question.

There is no T-Code with which your query can be resolved.

Even if you prepare a checklist and seal all the doors, there is no guarantee that you will not get any surprise.

Be confident in what ever you do, else be ready to face its consequences.

One advice out of the way:

If you are on JOB, please concentrate on your own development and growth, life will give you lot more opportunity to serve others BUT if you loose your JOB, mind well, no one will come to serve you !!!

Regards

Chirag Shah