Possibilities of multiple employment
It is possible to add one or more activities to your job. They can take the form:
- another salaried job;
- the creation or takeover of a business (EURL, auto-entrepreneur, etc.).
Conditions of multiple employment
Certain limits are imposed on workers over the age of 18:
- you cannot exceed a maximum working time: 10 hours per day and 48 hours per week (44 hours on average over a period of 12 weeks);
- your multiple jobs cannot take place in competing companies;
- your extra activity must not interfere with your main job.
Note: the maximum working time limit only applies to your salaried activities. You can work as much as you want as a freelancer.
Does your part-time work contract contain an exclusivity clause? Please note that this clause is only valid if it is essential for the protection of the legitimate interests of the company. It must be justified by the nature of the task to be performed and proportionate to the aim sought (judgment of the Court of Cassation, May 19, 2010).
Certain positions may justify this exclusivity clause: management or sales executives, and other more or less sensitive functions for the development of the company.
On the other hand, the positions of salespersons or cashiers, for example, are not subject to this kind of constraint: you are not obliged to ask your employer for authorization to hold multiple jobs.
Multiple employment in the public service
Civil servants cannot combine several salaried activities. On the other hand, certain secondary activities are tolerated:
- lessons, consultations and expertise;
- the production of literary, artistic and scientific works;
- volunteering ;
- work of minor importance in private homes;
- extreme emergency work (accident prevention, rescue, etc.);
- the exercise of a liberal profession which derives from the nature of their functions;
- the activity of collaborating spouse within a craft, commercial or liberal company;
- a non-profit general interest activity;
- missions of public interest of international cooperation or with organizations of general interest of an international nature or of a foreign State, for a limited period;
- the creation or takeover of an industrial, commercial, craft or agricultural business;
- Sporting or cultural activities;
- Home help for an ascendant or descendant, a spouse or partner.
To combine several jobs, you must request authorization from your administration.
The administration may oppose your secondary activity if it harms your main job in any way, particularly in terms of independence and neutrality in your duties.
Note: to be able to create or take over a business as a public official, you must obtain a derogation valid for one year, renewable once.