Is Starting a Side Business on LinkedIn Likely to Alert Your Employer?

Starting a side business can be a rewarding venture, but concerns about transparency with your current employer are common. Throughout this guide, we will explore whether or not LinkedIn notifies your current company if you create a business page and the importance of keeping your professional activities and personal profiles separate.

Will My Current Company Be Notified?

When it comes to creating a LinkedIn business page for your side hustle, you can rest assured that your current employer won't be notified automatically by LinkedIn. The platform does not have a built-in feature to track when a user creates a business page or connects it to their personal profile.

However, it's important to be aware of potential indirect notifications. For instance, if you link your personal LinkedIn profile and your business page, your connections, including your current employer, may see the page in their feeds. This could happen through the following scenarios:

Your name and picture appear on both profiles. You receive recommendations or endorsements for your side business. Your connections engage with posts or comments related to your business page.

To minimize the risk of being noticed by your current employer, it’s crucial to keep your personal and professional profiles separate. Here are some practical tips:

Best Practices for Keeping Personal and Professional Profiles Separate

Use a Company Name and Fictitious CEO

Instead of using your real name for the business page, opt for a fictional business name. If you are particularly concerned about anonymity, consider using a name that is fictional and a different profile picture. You can even create a fictitious CEO profile to further enhance your disguise.

Limit Connections and Engagement

Manage your business page’s connections and engagement carefully. Avoid sharing your business page link in your personal posts or engaging with your connections on your personal profile. Limit the visibility of your side business to protect your privacy.

Regular Monitoring

Even if LinkedIn does not notify your current employer directly, they do scan LinkedIn regularly. It's wise to assume that your employer could come across your side business page at any time. Be mindful of the content you share and how often you participate in online discussions.

Conclusion and Further Reading

In summary, while LinkedIn does not automatically notify your employer about your side business, it's essential to be proactive about keeping your personal and professional profiles separate. By following best practices such as using fictional names and pictures, limiting your engagement, and being monitoring-conscious, you can minimize the risk of raising suspicion.

For more detailed insights, you can explore my Quora profile for additional advice on running a side business and navigating professional boundaries.