Can your employer ban you from a flexi-job?

You have a permanent job and you fancy picking up the odd flexi-shift on the side. That makes sense, because a flexi-job is a handy way to earn a bit extra, tax-free. But then the doubt creeps in: is my employer even allowed to forbid it? The short answer is reassuring. No, your main employer cannot, in principle, ban you from working for someone else outside your hours.

There are a few situations where it is more nuanced, though. In this article we explain what the law says, which exceptions exist and what to watch out for before you start.

What does the law actually say?

Your free time is yours. What you do outside your schedule at your main employer is, in principle, your own business. An employer therefore cannot forbid a worker from working for one or more other employers, for example through a flexi-job. Your boss also cannot disadvantage you for it, for instance by giving you a worse schedule or passing you over for a promotion.

That principle matters. A flexi-job is a fully-fledged status through which you work for another employer. As long as you keep meeting your obligations in your main job properly, your boss has no say over it.

The exceptions: when your employer can step in

It is not completely unlimited, of course. There are a few objective reasons, known as incompatibilities, that your employer can rely on.

• Competition. With your flexi-job you cannot directly compete with your main employer. Going to work for your boss's direct competitor and taking company information or clients with you is a no-go.
• Trade secrets. Confidential information from your main employer stays confidential. You cannot use it anywhere else.
• Health and safety. The law sets limits on how many hours you may work. Rest periods, such as at least eleven hours between two working days, always continue to apply, even when you work for several employers. In practice, that is often the real limit: not your boss, but your own hours and rest.
• Conflicts of interest. In certain roles of trust or oversight, a second job can clash with your main task. That is a valid reason too.

Beyond those cases, your employer has little ground to ban you from a flexi-job.

A flexi-job at your own employer or a related company?

Here is an important rule. You cannot take a flexi-job with the same employer where you already have a permanent contract. The legislator wants to avoid ordinary hours being paid through the cheaper flexi status.

What has changed: since 1 July 2026, a full-time worker may take a flexi-job with a related company, for example another branch or a sister company within the same group. Previously that was not allowed. So if you work for a chain with several locations, this opens up new options.

Do you have to tell your main employer about your flexi-job?

You are not legally required to tell your boss that you work a flexi-job. Still, open communication is often the smartest choice. It avoids misunderstandings and helps you line up your schedules. Especially if you are active in the same sector or region, being upfront usually works better than keeping quiet.

What if your boss works against you anyway?

Does it feel like your employer is disadvantaging you because you earn extra with a flexi-job? Then you are on solid legal ground. As mentioned, they cannot punish you for it. Raise it calmly first. If you cannot resolve it, you can turn to your trade union or a payroll office for advice. You will find more about your rights as a flexi-jobber on our frequently asked questions page.

How to get off to a good start with your flexi-job

Before you begin, there is one condition you should definitely check. To be allowed to work a flexi-job, you must have worked at least four fifths for another employer during the reference quarter, three quarters earlier. If you meet that, you are good to go.

Keep these points in mind too:

• Line up your schedules. Make sure your flexi-shifts do not clash with your main job and that you get enough rest.
• Respect the working-time limits. The legal maximums apply across all your work combined.
• Choose a reliable employer. If you work through a platform, the admin is usually neatly arranged. Check the overview of flexi-job and student-job locations near you.
• Are you a student? A student job might be more interesting.

Want to know what you keep net with a flexi-job? Read our blog on the flexi-job hourly wage, the rules and the ceiling. Are you combining a flexi-job with a benefit? Then separate rules apply, which we explained in our blog on the flexi-job and unemployment benefit.

Conclusion

Your boss cannot, in principle, ban you from a flexi-job. Your free time is yours and, as long as you do not compete, do not misuse trade secrets and respect the rest periods, you are within your rights. Pay particular attention to the practical side: the four-fifths condition, your schedules and your own energy. That way you get the most out of your flexi-job, hassle-free.

Ready to start? Sign up as a shifter and discover which shifts suit you. Are you an employer looking for flexible staff? See what AnyShift can do for businesses. Want to read more about flexible work? Browse all our blogs.

📲 Want to work flexibly, earn a bit extra or find a student job? Download the free AnyShift app: App Store (iPhone) · Google Play Store (Android).