Can an HR agent start a similar consultancy as a side venture?

A KT reader who works in HR at a company wants to know if establishing his/her own HR consultancy could be considered a conflict of interest

- Ashish Mehta

Question: I currently work in HR at a reputed company in Dubai. If I were to establish my own HR consultancy as a side venture, could this be considered a conflict of interest? Would it potentially violate the non-compete clause I signed with my current employer?

Answer: An employee may establish a new entity or become a partner or shareholder in an existing entity in the UAE, provided that the employer issues a No Objection Certificate (NOC), permitting the employee to do so. Accordingly, if you intend to establish a new human resource consultancy firm while still being employed with your current employer, you may obtain a NOC from your current employer.

If you establish a human resource consultancy and if the nature of work is similar to your role with your current employment, then this may be considered as a competitor of your employer only if your signed employment contract includes the non-competition clause.