I recently changed jobs and joined company B for better pay, and learning/growth opportunity. It was a good move for my career in my opinion.
My old employer, company A, recently reached out asking if I would be willing to consult for them. Basically when I left, all of the knowledge of a particular product was gone. We have not worked out a contract yet.
My concern is that when I joined company B, I signed a contract which included a clause stating that "I will not engage in any business that is in competition with company B".
Since both companies are in the same industry, but not in the same technologies, I'm worried that if company B ever found out, they could terminate me or I could face legal action.
So my question is, should I ask my new manager if it is alright to consult for company A? Or should I not tell them and just continue forward with consulting?
Scenario 1: I don't tell my new manager. Everything works fine in the end, I make some extra money and things move on.
Scenario 2: I don't tell my new manager. Company B somehow finds out and terminates me or I face legal action.
Scenario 3: I tell my new manager and he is fine with it.
Scenario 4: I tell my new manager and he says no. And now doesn't believe I am committed to this job. I dont think he will think that. I know others on the team have side hustles (I looked them up on LinkedIn).
I am in the US in software, but the industry is not software driven.
Thanks!