Idiotic policy. Side projects are one of the best way to learn new skills (they're the entire basis for my current skillset in this industry!). I often find that I import lessons and technologies learned in my freetime to my day job as opposed to stealing niche lessons from work. This fact basically makes my side projects akin to ongoing training that my employers aren't paying for but are reaping value from.
Not only is it unfair for these companies to leverage their power to try and claim ownership over side projects, but they're actively shooting themselves in the foot by discouraging a massive and free source of continuous education for their employees.
Not only is it unfair for these companies to leverage their power to try and claim ownership over side projects, but they're actively shooting themselves in the foot by discouraging a massive and free source of continuous education for their employees.