Can you legally work two jobs at the same time in Canada? Yes. Employees in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia can work for two employers, including two full-time employers. However, employment contracts, workplace policies and your responsibilities to each employer may restrict what you’re allowed to do.

The biggest concerns are conflicts of interest, overlapping work hours, working for a competitor and whether your second job affects your performance. Even if your employer fires you for having another job, you could still be owed severance pay.

💡 The bottom line: Working two jobs isn’t automatically illegal or grounds for dismissal without severance. Your rights depend on your employment agreement, your conduct and the circumstances.

Reviewed by: Lior Samfiru, Employment Lawyer and National Co-Managing Partner

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Is It Legal to Work Two Jobs in Canada?

Yes. There’s no general law in Ontario, Alberta or BC that prevents an employee from working for more than one employer.

You can have a full-time job and a part-time job, two part-time jobs or even two full-time positions. However, you still have legal and contractual obligations to both employers.

For example, an employee working a full-time office job and a separate evening position may have no conflict. Someone secretly working for two competing businesses during the same hours could face serious consequences.

If you’re earning extra money through freelancing or running your own business instead, read our separate guide to side gigs in Canada.

Do You Have to Tell Your Employer About a Second Job?

Not always. You don’t automatically have to tell your employer that you have another job.

However, disclosure may be required if:

  • Your employment contract requires you to disclose outside work.
  • Your employer has an applicable policy requiring approval for a second job.
  • The second position creates a conflict of interest.
  • Your other job interferes with your ability to perform your duties.

An employer may also have legitimate concerns if you’re working for a competitor or using confidential information from one workplace at another.

Before accepting a second job, review your employment agreement and workplace policies. Our employment contract review guide explains what to look for.

Can You Work Two Full-Time Remote Jobs at the Same Time?

Yes, but working two full-time remote jobs during overlapping hours can put your employment at risk.

If both employers expect you to work from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., you may be unable to meet both sets of responsibilities.

Problems can arise when you:

  • Claim to be working for one employer while performing duties for another.
  • Miss meetings, deadlines or assigned responsibilities.
  • Use one employer’s equipment or confidential information for another job.
  • Work for competing businesses with conflicting interests.
  • Hide a second job when your contract requires disclosure.

⚠️ Working overlapping hours: Being paid by two employers for the same working hours can create serious concerns about honesty and breach of contract. Working remotely doesn’t remove your responsibilities to either employer.

Having two jobs with separate schedules presents different risks from secretly working for two employers during the same paid hours.

Can Your Employment Contract Prevent You From Working Two Jobs?

Yes. Your employment contract may restrict outside employment, especially if your second job creates a conflict of interest.

Common restrictions include:

  • Exclusivity clauses: Requiring you to work for only one employer or obtain permission for outside employment.
  • Conflict-of-interest policies: Restricting work that conflicts with your employer’s business.
  • Confidentiality clauses: Preventing you from using or sharing confidential business information.
  • Non-compete restrictions: Attempting to limit your ability to work for a competing company.

Not every restriction is enforceable. The wording, your position and applicable provincial law matter.

Learn more about employment contracts in Canada and non-compete clauses.

Can You Be Fired for Working Two Jobs?

Yes. Your employer can dismiss you for having another job, but that doesn’t automatically mean you can be fired without severance.

In Ontario, Alberta and BC, non-unionized employees can often be dismissed without cause if the employer provides the required notice or compensation and the dismissal is otherwise lawful.

However, an employer may claim termination for cause if your second job involves serious dishonesty, competing interests or a major breach of your employment agreement.

Simply having another job doesn’t automatically establish just cause. Your employer must be able to justify denying your termination compensation.

Are You Owed Severance if You’re Fired for Having Two Jobs?

You could still be owed full severance pay, even if your employer says you were fired for cause.

An accusation that you violated an outside-employment policy doesn’t automatically eliminate your entitlement to compensation.

Your severance rights depend on factors such as your age, length of service, position, employment contract and the seriousness of the alleged misconduct.

In appropriate cases, severance can reach up to 24 months’ pay.

Don’t resign or sign a termination release simply because your employer says your second job was prohibited. Have your situation reviewed first.

You can learn more about your rights in our guides to severance pay in Canada and termination for cause.

What Should You Do if Your Employer Discovers Your Second Job?

If your employer questions you about another job or threatens disciplinary action:

  1. Review your contract: Check for outside-employment, exclusivity and conflict-of-interest clauses.
  2. Understand the allegation: Find out whether your employer is concerned about scheduling, performance, dishonesty or competition.
  3. Keep relevant records: Preserve your contract, work schedules, policies and written communications.
  4. Don’t resign under pressure: Leaving voluntarily could affect your employment rights.
  5. Get legal advice: Speak with an employment lawyer before signing a disciplinary agreement, resignation or termination release.

Frequently Asked Questions About Working Two Jobs

Can I work two full-time jobs in Ontario?

Yes. Ontario doesn’t have a general law prohibiting two full-time jobs. However, your employment contract, employer policies and obligations to each company may restrict how you work.

Can I work two jobs in Alberta or BC?

Yes. Employees in Alberta and British Columbia can work for multiple employers, provided they meet their contractual and workplace obligations.

Is it illegal to work two remote jobs?

No. Working two remote jobs isn’t automatically illegal. However, dishonesty about working hours, poor performance or misuse of confidential information can lead to serious employment consequences.

Do I need permission from my employer to get a second job?

Not always. Permission may be required by your employment contract or an applicable workplace policy. It may also be necessary to address a conflict of interest.

Can my employer make me quit my second job?

An employer may require you to resolve a legitimate conflict or comply with an enforceable outside-employment restriction. Whether the demand is lawful depends on the circumstances.

Can I be fired without severance for working two jobs?

Not automatically. Even if your employer fires you for having another job, you could still be owed severance. The employer must establish sufficient grounds to deny your termination entitlements.

Speak With an Employment Lawyer About Working Two Jobs

Having a second job doesn’t automatically mean you’ve done anything wrong. If your employer is threatening discipline, demanding that you quit another position or accusing you of misconduct, find out where you stand.

The employment lawyers at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP help non-unionized employees in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia understand their rights when workplace conflicts involve outside employment.

Our team can review your employment agreement, challenge allegations of just cause and pursue the severance compensation you’re legally entitled to receive.

For provincial guidance, visit our Ontario employment law, Alberta employment law and BC employment law pages.

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