Is it legal for a contract to say that you can't also work elsewhere?

[AhTheFuckening]

Is this something that companies would be able to defend?

Reasonably normal yes, or that you need to get approval in writing for another job

Its pretty common in some sectors, especially where there might be a conflict of interest.

Generally it gets passed by HR and/or Legal. So, the answer probably depends on what your second job is.

Yes, or at least ask permission. This is fairly standard. It’s to prevent you from working for a direct competitor to protect confidential information and also to check you’re not working more hours than is allowed under the Working Time Regulations and you cannot opt out of the rest break requirements under that.

No idea but the reality of it is if you want to take another job then tell them don’t ask. If they have a problem then say sorry to hear that. This has to work for you. It also has to work for me. And I need this other job. So let me know. Happy to hand my notice in if that’s required.

It’s risky but I reckon you can call most people’s bluffs if you get the tone right.

It's always been normal in my jobs.

Thanks all.

My contract does say I can't work elsewhere, but I wonder what they'd say if I told them I had another role.

It makes me feel like they own me, which I don't like.

Always been normal in my sector (finance/insurance in an office) even 25 years ago you needed to ask in writing to get a retail or bar job on the side (relevant at the time as a skint young thing struggling to make the rent on 8k a year in 1998). I can also remember facilitating same for my team members in mid 2000’s. Companies said yes but kept an eye on working time/sickness as over tired that sort of thing.

Fairly standard but also allows for permission to be sought.

If it was a very part time job and no extra hours available I’d say that was unreasonable.

It makes me feel like they own me, which I don't like.

That’s a bit OTT.

FWIW in my last job (professional, full time) I sought permission to work 6 weeks weekends in bar work when we were particularly financially stretched.

I was granted this permission, as it had nothing to do with my actual job so no conflict of interest. But I certainly had to have it approved by our Managing Partner.

Not applicable but interesting: in Germany broad clauses on this are illegal because you are free to sell your labour as you wish.

You haven't met my company though 😄.

This is interesting, thank you.

But it makes sense when you think about it - if you are working with a company developing software Monday-Wednesday, they don't want you going to work for their major competitor on Thursday and Friday.

But on the other hand if the two jobs are totally different there is not likely to be an issue. I do very part-time adhoc work as a film extra and have met people with all sorts of occupations.

Yes, I can see it might make sense if there's a conflict of interests.

But my contract just says No.

I guess it depends if your current employer is likely to find out you are working elsewhere, and if you care!

Very common in my sector altho there is leeway, i.e. if second job is in a totally different sector. However, it has to be run by and approved by HR

Do you mean (a) you are not allowed any other job while you work in this current job, or (b) they place a restriction on where you can work when you leave?

If (a) - do you currently work full time and is there a process for them to approve?

On the other hand in Luxembourg you can’t have a second job if it means you work more than 40 hours a week.

I mean a - I currently work full time, and there doesn't seem to be a process for them to consider a request; my contract just says that you can't.

and thats bad because ?

Conflict of interest and reputation are very important parts of my job. I need permission for other work and it is approved on a case by case basis. Something like teaching at a university would be easily approved as it extends my reputation and the company’s reputation. This is a common second job in my field. Something like working at a bar to earn extra cash would be extremely difficult to get approved. Working for a competitor or someplace where there might be an accusation of impropriety or influence because the sectors are related would be a hard no.

I can't see my employer being particularly open to any requests.

And I haven't been looking for a role or anything like that, so my interest in this is purely theoretical.

but if you dont ask then the answer will be no etc unless your the security services then being a double agent is a no

Do you want another job on top of your full time job??