Can I ask for payment if my employer wants to use my dissertation? I completed my PhD research as an industry based researcher. My employer was fully aware of my research. There was no support given by the employer other than encouragement. However, I used the company information which I had access to as part of my role. My employer had no objection and I was extremely careful of the disclosure I made.

I have now completed my PhD and graduated. My  dissertation is publicly available on my university website. A google search can bring it up too.

QUESTION: If my employer wants to use my dissertation, would it be ethical for me to ask for a payment? 

EDIT: To clarify some comments below, my company wants to use my dissertation as part of an advocacy campaign.
I think your question is best rephrased as follows:


  If someone wants to use my dissertation, would it be ethical for me to ask for a payment?


Assuming you are asking about using the intellectual content of your dissertation, the answer is NO.  Whether or not that someone is your employer is irrelevant.

However, your actual presentation is protected by copyright, which for dissertations is normally completely held by the author.  So if someone wanted to use your specific words and/or figures beyond the limits of fair use, then you have the right to seek compensation.