[thrwwy71215]

Do you think it's a reasonable risk to work on my SaaS at work? My context:

I have 1-2 hours of free time each day max, if nothing comes up. This is because I have a baby. The 1-2 hours sacrifices perfect sleep.

My job on the other hand is not always demanding. I might be able to get a good 2 hour block in for myself. In addition, I have private space and my company is not in software, so they are more likely to be unaware.

My SaaS idea is intended to be a personal scale business, so even if caught it's unlikely my company would be interested in it. Totally unrelated to their business as well. There is a slim chance my idea can catch on larger than I expect, but I'm not banking on it.

I also do not come from a CS background, so it takes me triple+ the time of what some of you can hack out a site. I've only created one app and I have to learn new tools for this new one. Thus the time crunch is even more extreme.

I can work on my app through a web IDE and private IP (HTTPS). Will the company be able to detect it? Alternatively I can shell out for a new Macbook I suppose, since I have private space to work.

My idea if successful will need some network effects to keep away copycats, so I'd like to be able to work full bore. However I cannot afford to quit my job.

I'm in California. My employer is not based there. I did not have to sign any IP agreements.

Would you work on your SaaS on the job if you were me?

Thanks.

[jake_morrison]

One option would be to just learn to program better or market products during your less busy time on the job. Maybe you can start by making some application to improve your day to day work, or operations in the company. So if anyone asks, it is clear that you have time on your hands, but you are using it in a relatively productive way. Then you can apply what you have learned later outside of work, probably after the baby is bigger and you are not so sleep deprived.

In my experience, non technical companies can be a bit irrational about releasing software. They don't understand it, so it's hard for them to value it. They will have a knee-jerk reaction and just say no. Or think that it's more valuable than it is and want to keep it for themselves, and be unable to do anything with it.

[HeyLaughingBoy]

No. I've done my share of stupid/risky things, but I'm simply not going to work on a side business while actually in the office at my day job.

That said, I used to know someone who did exactly this successfully. However, while he was an engineer, his day job had absolutely nothing to do with software development and gave him lots of free time "at work" when he would just have been bored.

[thrwwy71215]

What is your biggest concern in the risk?

The way I see it for me there are four outcomes: 1) Company discovers and I am fired. 2) Company discovers and has no interest. 3) No one finds out and I have decent side income. 4) The app has good success and I quit one day with a phony excuse before they become aware of it.

In my case, 1/4 is actually bad but the likelihood of discovery is low because my company is not in that field. I'm not likely to be fired without warning and it's not likely to be discovered while the app is transitioning from side income to success (before I can leave, if the app is worthwhile to litigate over).

[HeyLaughingBoy]

Worst case is company discovers, fires you, and takes all rights to the code. The IP belongs to them and you have to decide if it's worth the legal risk of continuing to develop it commercially. Hint: it's generally not.

It's easier to avoid this problem than deal with it after the fact.

[IndianAstronaut]

I am doing something like this. But my side business involves solving some tricky technical problems. My work has those same issues, but no kne is really working on them or addressing them. By working on those at work I am also learning some skills to do so for my project on the side.

[blooberr]

Do you have to physically be in the office?

Would it work if you were in the library or a coffee shop 5 minutes away?

[thrwwy71215]

I do need to be in the office. No strict schedule, but generally available.

If company property was an issue, I could always get my own laptop and use a personal hotspot. Someone would have to prove I worked on my app in my office, which is hard without surveillance I imagine.