I work for a non-profit human service agency providing in-home behavioral services to foster children and their families. Approximately 1 year ago, I developed a proposal to conduct this service on a consultative basis to outside agencies, through my current employer. Initially, I was under the impression that they were allowing me to develop a new program. After a year of generating additional revenue for the organization, and their restricting my time to grow the program, I've decided that I would like to do private consulting. The organization does not have a non-compete clause nor did I sign any contracts stating that I would not conduct this type of work outside the organization.

I recently requested a reduction in my hours so that I could pursue private practice consultation and was informed that I could not do this. Is that true if there is no clauses and if I pursue it would they have grounds to terminate me?