Working for firm then setting up own business in the same field

aife

I'm aiming to become self employed in the next few months .
I have a couple of ideas about what I want to do but initially my main focus will be setting up as a cat sitter.
As there are a lot already out there and I'll be starting with no customer base or reviews , I was thinking of signing with an existing organisation if i can't get enough customers.
My question is - can I do this and then revert to being self employed ? I assume there will be some sort of clause in the contract about not poaching customers but could they stop me from operating in the same geographical area ? How long do exclusivity clauses usually last for ?
Any response greatly appreciated , especially from anyone who has been in a similar situation

00ec25

if you are merely an employee of a cat sitting operation then yes, you will need to check your contract of employment for any "poaching" clauses before you start work for them. Naturally if there are such clauses, and you ask that question at interview, expect not to be offered a job.

as for the contract, yes it can include a clause preventing you working a geographical area, if they have thought to put such into a what on the face of it should be a basic employee contract. How many cat sitting operations that need employees would actually think that far ahead?

clauses last for as long as the contract you signed say they will...

unforeseen

I always imagined cat sitting services to be one man bands unless it's part of a full blown cattery.

aife

unforeseen wrote: »

I always imagined cat sitting services to be one man bands unless it's part of a full blown cattery.

I'm planning to set up on my own but there are a couple of firms that employ people , I think on zero hours type contracts, and offer a national service