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Setting up LTD while employed, notice period, anti moonlighting

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  • Setting up LTD while employed, notice period, anti moonlighting

    Hello

    I handed in my letter of resignation and have 1 month notice period.
    I told my employer I am setting up limited company which can be a competition to their business.
    They send me a letter pointing to anti moonlighting clause, in full below.

    My question is: can I set up the company while still in employment, provided I will not trade yet, no operations, no work whatsoever for the company, just establishing and paper work, so all is set after the employment is over?

    Regards
    Jay


    The clause:
    1.3.4 During the Employee’s employment, the Employee shall devote their whole time and
    attention to their duties and shall not directly or indirectly engage or be concerned or
    interested in any other business of any kind without the express permission of the Directors
    of the Company (the Board) whatsoever provided that nothing in this anti-moonlighting
    clause shall prohibit the holding of shares or debentures quoted or dealt in on a recognised
    Stock Exchange in the United Kingdom or elsewhere so long as not more than five per cent
    of the shares or stock of any class of any one company shall be so held.
    1.3.5 Where express permission has been granted by the Board (see Clause 1.3.4. above), the
    Employee shall not engage in any activity that the Company believes to be in direct or
    indirect competition with the Company’s business, or which is otherwise incompatible with
    its business interests, or which in the Company’s view does or might impair the Employee’s
    ability to perform their duties for the Company fully and efficiently.
    1.3.6 The work as described in Clause 1.3.5 above should not in any way have an adverse effect
    on the Employee’s work for the Company, either because of its nature or because it involves
    long hours and extra stress.
    1.3.7 The work as described in Clause 1.3.5 above should not bring any conflict of loyalty to the
    Employee’s position within the Company or conflict with the interests of the Company.
    1.3.8 When engaging in any such work as described in Clause 1.3.5 above Employees should not:
    • Comment on Colleagues, Clients, or fellow professionals, suppliers and contractors in a
    way which the Company would regard as objectionable;
    • Involve themselves in any activity which conflicts with the interests of the Company or
    would bring it into disrepute
    Tags: None

  • #2
    I thinbk your post contains the answer:
    The statement " no operations, no work whatsoever for the company, just establishing and paper work" is rather conbtradictory.,

    Comment


    • #3
      Having reviewed the clause you have set out in your post 1.3.4 is very clear that no you cannot do anything towards the setting up of your own business whilst you are still employed there.

      Given the fact that they have expressly written to you to direct you to this clause in your contract means means that you do not have the "....express permission of the Directors of the Company (the Board)..." to carry on such activities.

      I would advise that you wait until you have concluded your notice period.
      If you would like a one-to-one expert consultation with me on your employment issue than I can be contacted by emailing admin@legalbeaglesgroup.com

      I do my best to provide good practical advice, however I do so without liability.
      If you have any doubts then do please seek professional legal advice.


      You can’t always stop the waves but you can learn to surf.

      You are braver than you believe, smarter than you think and stronger than you seem.



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      Comment


      • #4
        Thank you ULA for the reply,

        Hwoever I won't wait

        What can they do? Terminate my contract? oh well
        They can't claim any damages, because they would have to be legitimate, ie. they have to prove they had a loss purely because I set up a LTD company. Clearly absurd

        Regards
        Jay

        Comment


        • #5
          What you decide to do is up to you, des8 and myself have provided our legal interpretation of your contractual clause.
          If you would like a one-to-one expert consultation with me on your employment issue than I can be contacted by emailing admin@legalbeaglesgroup.com

          I do my best to provide good practical advice, however I do so without liability.
          If you have any doubts then do please seek professional legal advice.


          You can’t always stop the waves but you can learn to surf.

          You are braver than you believe, smarter than you think and stronger than you seem.



          If we have helped you we'd appreciate it if you can leave a review on our Trust Pilot page

          Comment


          • #6
            Thank you for that, apprieciated

            Employer can put a lot in the contract, however just because it is there, does not mean it is legal and binding.
            And even if it is, it might not enforceabe
            And even if it is enforceable, consequences might be very mild

            I understand what my employer wrote in the contract, my question was more about what they can do about it, if anything

            Comment


            • #7
              What they can do is get a solicitor to send you a letter reminding you of the clause and detailing what they may do to enforce it, at the very simplest, up to taking out an injunction against you (very costly) so it depends on how far they want to pursue any action against you.

              It will also depend on whether, in addition to this clause, you have any non-compete/restrictive covenant which may also determine what if any action they decide to take.
              If you would like a one-to-one expert consultation with me on your employment issue than I can be contacted by emailing admin@legalbeaglesgroup.com

              I do my best to provide good practical advice, however I do so without liability.
              If you have any doubts then do please seek professional legal advice.


              You can’t always stop the waves but you can learn to surf.

              You are braver than you believe, smarter than you think and stronger than you seem.



              If we have helped you we'd appreciate it if you can leave a review on our Trust Pilot page

              Comment


              • #8
                [QUOTE=JayKay;n1623301]
                And even if it is enforceable, consequences might be very mild

                /QUOTE]

                I note the "might" !

                As ULA their costs in obtaining an injunction might surprise you, and if you should breach that injunction the maximum penalty for contempt of court is an unlimited fine or two years imprisonment or both

                Comment


                • #9
                  Thank you both for your opinion,

                  I think I will take my chances, as I can't wait additional 2 weeks to set up everything. It is not just company formation, but also other paper work related top the nature of the business.

                  In the contract it also says:
                  "Employees who are found to be in breach of this provision will be subject to disciplinary action under the Company’s disciplinary procedure. Depending on the seriousness of the offence, it may amount to gross misconduct and could result in summary dismissal."

                  So i guess they can terminate my employment then
                  I really do not think any tribunal in the UK would see any legitimate damages to the current employer by only setting up a limited company.
                  It is not a serfdom

                  Thank you once again
                  Jay

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Don’t get me wrong,

                    I am not first asking and if you do not confirm my view, I am dismissing your advices

                    It just happened I wrote this post first, then I read entire internet about the clause and its enforceability and I made my mind on the case based on what I read

                    I really apprieciate your help and honest advice
                    Thank you

                    Comment

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