Why do employers add the clause in contracts 'not to do other employment or business'

KiKi

I was on a 35 hour a week contract and sought permission which was granted. But I didn't just say "I want to work outside this company", I put forward that I had a specific job I wanted to do, in my own time and on AL days which wasn't in conflict with my current job and would amount to no more than 4 extra days a month. They were more than reasonable about it.

And yes - it's amazing what you might mention in passing to a colleague and how it gets around...!

KiKi

fred7777

Being cynical it's quite simple. How as a professional can you work lots of unpaid overtime if you have another job to go to?

Looking at companies I have worked for in the past how could I take on a job at weekends when the CEO wanted to start a "saturday morning club" working on new projects? How could I do bar work starting at 6:00pm when my main employer for whom I worked 8-5 insisted on scheduling meetings at 6pm?

I'd be wary of assuming that your employer will agree to you doing other jobs in the future. They say they won't be unreasonable but who decides what is reasonable? If they are in fact unreasonable they will decide they are being reasonable and there won't be much you can do.

The working time directive opt out seems to be pretty standard these days. It used to be on a separate form but now it seems to be rolled into the contract.

You could ask HR to modify the contract to remove the clauses you don't like and they may do so or provide written explanation/assurances that you can use in the future.

It all basically comes down to whether or not you feel the company will be fair to you. If they want you for work 55 hours per week on a 35 hour contract ( have in the past) then it won't matter what you have signed or not signed.