Looking for a new job - can you be fired?

[AlmaMartyr]

I was looking for a bit of advice on DH's behalf. He's interested in putting out the feelers for a new job (i.e. emailing his CV to other companies) but is worried that his current company could fire him if they found out. Is that legal?

In itself it isn't a valid reason to sack someone. How would anyone ever change jobs if that was the case?

But an employer can generally always find a reason eventually to sack someone if they really really want to.

Thank you :) I thought it probably wasn't a valid reason in itself but he was worrying about it. We thought that it was possible that they would make life tough for him if they realised he was looking elsewhere but then they're making it pretty tough already.

Why do you think they would want to sack him? Even in current tough circumstance it is very important that employers keep hold of good staff.

What everyone else has said but I just wanted to add that sending a cv in cold is not the best way of getting a new job. Much better to phone HR or the person who runs the department your dh wants to work in to see if any jobs are coming up. He could then send in his cv speculatively or apply for a specific role.

King - I don't think they would want to sack him tbh, but he was concerned about it. His company can be a bit odd so he wants to know he's doing everything by the book.

Katie - thanks, that's very useful advice :)

They could legitimately discipline/ sack him if he did it in working hours or using their equipment.

Thanks, that's a good point.