My experience is that employers, and people generally, are completely unpredictable. An employer might seem supportive, but later on decide that your side proje

My experience is that employers, and people generally, are completely unpredictable. An employer might seem supportive, but later on decide that your side project should be company property. And, people hear what they want to hear. The employee hears, "good luck with that project, great idea!" and thinks that means the employer doesn't want a stake in it. The employer might simply be intending to encourage the employee, thinking the project is obviously company owned. "Having the conversation" only muddies the waters.