Hey everyone! I'm a Network Engineer with a solid grasp of Python, and I've developed several useful tools for my job. I'm proud of my work, and I think it could come in handy for future job opportunities. I was wondering if it's acceptable to save the code I create while working in my personal GitHub repository. I've checked my contract, and it doesn't mention anything about owning the code I write. However, I'm aware there are confidentiality concerns, so I would sanitize the code before posting it. I'm based in the UK, and I'm interested in getting your thoughts on whether this is a good idea or if it could lead to legal issues. Do I need to talk to my manager about this first?
5 Answers
Short answer: No. Anything you create during work hours is usually owned by your employer unless stated otherwise. You might get fired and face legal issues if you upload that code to your personal repo.
To be safe, you could create private repositories for your work, which keeps it accessible without the risk of exposing confidential information. Just be mindful – any code you upload should be free of secrets to prevent any backlash later on.
Same here, I’ve been keeping it all private just to be safe.
Great advice, private repos sound like the way to go!
If your contract allows it and you sanitize any sensitive data, keeping a cleaned-up version could actually benefit you. Just don’t share anything that’s tied to internal processes or proprietary information. A GitHub repo with generalized tools would be a great way to showcase your skills without risking your job.
That sounds like a smart solution!
Yeah, it’s all about the balance!
Honestly, I'd recommend against it. Most employment contracts specify that anything you write during work hours belongs to the company. Sharing it on your personal GitHub could get you in serious legal trouble if they find out. It’s safer to ask your manager if any parts of your work can be shared generically without linking back to the company.
But how would they even know about it?
Yeah, isn’t there a chance it could go unnoticed?
Avoid doing this at all costs. Your code qualifies as company property, and copying it to your personal computer could trigger a lawsuit. Focus on making your resume highlight your projects instead!
True, resumes should reflect our skills without risking our jobs.
Just curious, what if you sanitize the code before uploading?