I think that's how a lot of developer-built businesses start.
Ask HN: Can you get away with not working?
11–20 of 92 posts
Re: Ask HN: Can you get away with not working?
#12I don't think the hourly base of being paid doesn't work for programming anyway. There are hours when I get done a lot and on other times I just sit for hours on something and do things, but accomplish nothing. What matters is the result. So if they are happy with your results, even though you are only giving 60%, I think it is OK. But quit as soon as possible and do something you really want! You only have limited l…
> You only have limited lifetime, don't throw it away ...
I think ^^ this is the most important consideration. Whether you're being fair to a non-real corporate entity is immaterial to the larger question of whether you're self-satisfied.
Be part of a team, if that works for you. But if the folks responsible for your team aren't smart enough or aware enough to notice that you're on your own team... well, that's an indication that they shouldn't be in charge in the first case.
Re: Ask HN: Can you get away with not working?
#13Be careful, many contracts contain parts that give full ownership of what you make on company time to your employer. You might loose your dream if you are not careful.
Interesting idea, would actually be funny if they can prove he wrote all the coide for his suddenly supersuccessful startup on their paid time and get a great percentage or all of the shares...
"We've been a bit unhappy about your performance for our main project but happy you created a more successful one for us..."
Re: Ask HN: Can you get away with not working?
#14I'm sure you're not the only one. Do you ever worry that your side project won't be as interesting if you ever stop working for the man? "Want what you can't have" and all that?
Re: Ask HN: Can you get away with not working?
#15"working for the man". This "man" is paying for you to do a job. You don't have to do it if you don't want to, you can go back and live at your parents house.
Excuse me if I'm sounding rude but you sound very young, and unaware that what you are doing is illegal and seem to have misplaced resentment
Re: Ask HN: Can you get away with not working?
#16Be careful, many contracts contain parts that give full ownership of what you make on company time to your employer. You might loose your dream if you are not careful.
Some contracts even give ownership of what you create on your free time to the company.
Which is illegal in some areas, even if your contract says it, so as always make sure you know your rights.
Re: Ask HN: Can you get away with not working?
#17Be careful, many contracts contain parts that give full ownership of what you make on company time to your employer. You might loose your dream if you are not careful.
Interesting idea, would actually be funny if they can prove he wrote all the coide for his suddenly supersuccessful startup on their paid time and get a great percentage or all of the shares... "We've been a bit unhappy about your performance for our main project but happy you created a more successful one for us..."
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Re: Ask HN: Can you get away with not working?
#18In my experience, the CxO's would likely chuckle if they found out (AND all your actual work is being done 100%). Middle management would likely not be very happy.
I used to spend at least half my day wandering around our campus because I could get everything done in 2 hours and would typically do another 2 hours because that would double my output. I couldn't get a 400% raise and I was satisfied with the amount of work I did, management wouldn't fire me because I was providing them with an awesome deal, etc.
I didn't tell them I did not work half the day. There's a lot of unspoken bullshit in the corporate would, normally it works against employees and I think it's okay for it to work for you sometimes, too.
Re: Ask HN: Can you get away with not working?
#19I personally know of a somewhat successful AI company that was built by my coworkers while they were employed at our current company.
They eventually got caught and fired but that didn't stop them from raising a couple of hundred K seed round.
You are definitely not the only one.
Re: Ask HN: Can you get away with not working?
#20Be careful, many contracts contain parts that give full ownership of what you make on company time to your employer. You might loose your dream if you are not careful.
This. Go re-read your terms of employment right now.
Even if you are allowed to moonlight, make sure you are not using your employers equipment (eg: laptop, internet, etc) to do so. They can claim partial ownership for providing them to you.