Is it illegal to show a sample of the work I did for my previous employer to new prospective employers?
Answer:
It depends. Did you sign a confidentiality statement with the previous employer? I know one company I worked with I had to sign a statement I wasn't allowed to work or show anything pertaining to my previous company to a competitor for 1 year after termination. If not, then consider your sample before showing. As long as it is a sample of your work and not pertaining to upcoming products or company trade secrets then you show be OK.
Not unless you worked for the Dept. of Defense or something.
You didn't say what kind of work you do, but I would block out any confidential information contained in the work as it would be a privacy matter.
Depends on the work. When I'm asked for a sample, I pick something that shows the type of work without company name, trademarked products/services. It takes some time, but in place of the company or product/service I put <COMPANY> <PRODUCT>
It's unlikely that your new employer would use it as part of some evil plan to know more of your previous employer, but anything that I can do to shield my previous work, I will.
As long as you own the copyrights you'll be fine!
If it contains any information that would harm your employer's business, then it is not appropriate. Also if you signed confidentiality agreement with your employer, you shouldn't do it. If the future employer is in the same business, and if they see that you are casually showing your current employer's information to the competitor, they may get concerned (that you would do the same to them). At the end it's your decision though.
If the previous employer took this sample and considers it, so it is impolite, but not illegal, due that this will be in your CV in future, however, it depends to your contract with the previous company or the rules of that company. If there is a rule that you have not to show your work, so you have to follow the rules.
I suppose it depends on the content of the work you did like perhaps if you worked with the government. In most cases. it is not illegal and you have the right to show your work to another employer. I would be careful though that the material you show them is not breaching a confidence that your previous employer entrusted you with. A particular idea or concept that sets them apart from their competition for example. If however the two businesses are not related and there is no conflict.you are fine.
Example: I assembled a manual that was a one stop resource guide for a physical therapy office. It was delivered to all of the area doctor's offices. It was a unique manual and it would not be professional of me to go introduce the same idea to another physical therapy office in the same area.
It depends upon the confidentiality of the information and who has legal rights.
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