Starting your own Business

We at Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers recognize that there may be times when our employees wish to start their own business for a variety of reasons. Although this is generally not a problem, there are some considerations that we must be aware of and certain conditions that we ask all employees to fulfill. The main issue is that the new business does not interfere with the employee’s outstanding performance of their job here, and that there is no conflict of interest such as becoming a competitor.

If you wish to start your own business (or buy an existing business from someone else), please discuss the matter with your supervisor prior to getting started. There may be conflicts to be worked out and thus a problem can be avoided.

The rules for starting or buying your own business as an employee of LHFJ are as follows:

1. Except as otherwise agreed, employment by Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers, Inc. (the Company, LHFJ), shall be deemed to be “full time.” The Company recognizes the fact that an employee may be justified, under some circumstances, in starting/running his or her own business to be performed after working hours if no conflict with the Company’s interest is involved.
2. No employee shall be permitted to engage his or her time or talents to start, buy, or run a business that competes with Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers, Inc. while employed with the Company.
3. No employee can be permitted to reveal what he or she learns regarding trade secrets or proprietary information to any other individual or company whether a competitor or not, or use such proprietary information in a business started/owned by the employee. No employee can be permitted to make use of the Company’s customer database to promote any business other than Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers.
4. No employee shall accept or engage in any activity or business, either during or after working hours that would conflict with LHFJ’s interests or diminish the ability of the employee to render to the Company the full, loyal, and undivided service which is contemplated in his or her employment by the Company. If your work performance is affected by running another business, we may ask you to drop the other business or resign your position here.
5. Starting/running your own business is permissible only if the employee can continue to perform his or her normal work requirements within the scheduled workweek. Work assignments and schedules will not be changed for you to perform duties not related to your duties at LHFJ. The employee cannot perform outside work during the normally scheduled work hours of the Company.
6. The employee’s business cannot involve work that would adversely affect the Company’s image.
7. The employee cannot represent the Company while working for his or her own business, nor imply that his or her own business is in any way related to LHFJ.
8. The employee cannot use the Company’s tools or equipment (fax, phone, copier, software, computer, letterhead, envelopes, jeweler’s equipment, mailing supplies, etc.) for outside work nor do any outside work on Company grounds.
9. Permission to conduct business interests with anybody doing business with Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers, Inc., its suppliers, or dealers must be secured in writing from the CEO or a Company Officer. Failure to secure advance permission may result in immediate termination.
10. Training that may be needed in order to start or run another business must be performed on the employee’s personal time and at the employee’s expense, never on the paid time or at the expense of Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers, Inc.
11. Employees who are solicited to work for a current or former coworker’s outside business must apply the policy “Employees, Moonlighting” and request permission to work for the outside company.

This policy is very serious sounding but the core reason that it is being issued is that it is simply immoral to work on, or for, another business while being paid by your current employer. Starting your own business and even transitioning out of employment here can all be done aboveboard, and several former employees have done so successfully in the past. There isn’t anything wrong with having ambition! The most important thing is to keep the lines of communication open, rather than sneaking around, so that we can create a win-win situation that works for everyone.