I do computer aided drafting (CAD). I am currently full-time employed with an engineering company. I would like to make some money ‘on the side” by marketing my CAD services to some smaller companies. Now I know that moonlighting is a conflict of interest with my current company, and I’m ok with that. I will be marketing to much smaller clients than my current emplyer would ever seek or even contract with. So, I am ok with the “conflict of interest” with my current employer and am aware that is something that I will need to deal with if I am discovered. SO, to help hide my personal identity when sending out marketing pieces, and writing letters, I was thinking aobut using an alias. Is that legal? It may be a little morality issue that I would need to get over, but how about the legalities of the issue? I would do the work under a company that I will form, but can I use an alias, or even an abbreviation of my name, such as just my first and middle name? Should I register my alias some how with the state, like a “fictcious name” as a company would? Besides the morales, and the conflict of interest with my company, is is legal to use an alias to conduct business in PA? and if so, can I make it legal? I should mention, that I will not be meeting people in person. All “alias communicaiton” would be by way of phone, email, letters, reports, drawings, etc.
Jennifer B
March 14th, 2010 at 3:07 pm
Did you sign a non-compete agreement? Is there a clause in your personnel manual that states you cannot perform work for a competing business? I’m not sure about the legalities of an alias in the state of PA, but something to think about….if discovered you will now have an alias that follows you for your entire life. Meaning, if you get pulled over…you have an alias (which some cops are immediately suspicious of). On your credit report, you will have an alias, etc. Also, as you stated, it sounds like there must be something that states you should not do this, otherwise you wouldn’t be acknowledging the “immorality” of doing so. So, I”m assuming that you would not only be acting in a very unethical fashion, but would also be risking your current employment. Unless there is more to the story, at face value it seems like a bad idea. However, if you are really interested only in legalities….try googling “alias and penn” or contact a local attorney.