How to combine 2 temporary work assignments?
11 May 2026 · 4 min reading time
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See job offersCombining 2 temporary work assignments can help increase your income or complete a part-time schedule. It is possible, but not without limits. Even if the assignments are signed with two different agencies, the temporary worker must comply with the rules of the Labour Code on maximum working hours and rest periods.
Before accepting a second assignment, it is therefore important to look at your overall schedule. The hours worked in one assignment are added to the hours worked elsewhere.
Can you combine 2 temporary work assignments?
A temporary worker can combine two assignments if the schedules are compatible and if their contracts do not include any specific restrictions. This is often the case when one assignment is part-time, when a contract only covers a few days per week, or when the two assignments are organised on different time slots.
Beyond the extra income, this type of arrangement can also be an opportunity to diversify your skills, discover different sectors of activity or strengthen your employability. The limit is not the number of contracts, but the total volume of hours worked. An arrangement that seems simple at first can become complicated if the working days are too long, if travel time reduces rest periods or if schedules change during the assignment.
Maximum working hours to respect
Combining two temporary work assignments does not allow you to exceed maximum working hours. In principle, an employee must not work more than 10 hours per day, except in the case of an exemption, nor more than 48 hours in the same week. Over 12 consecutive weeks, the average must not exceed 44 hours per week.
These limits apply across all jobs combined. For example, a temporary worker who works 28 hours in a first assignment and 20 hours in a second assignment already reaches 48 hours over the week. They therefore cannot add overtime without risking exceeding the legal limit.
| Limit to respect | General rule |
|---|---|
| Maximum daily working time | 10 hours per day, except in the case of an exemption |
| Maximum weekly working time | 48 hours in the same week |
| Average duration over 12 weeks | 44 hours per week on average |
| Daily rest period | 11 consecutive hours between two working days |
| Weekly rest period | At least 35 hours, except in specific cases |
Rest periods between two assignments
The combination of assignments must also leave enough time to recover. The daily rest period is, in principle, 11 consecutive hours between two working days. The weekly rest period is generally at least 35 hours, as it includes 24 hours of weekly rest plus the 11 hours of daily rest.
This is often where combining assignments becomes difficult. An assignment that ends late in the evening and another that starts early the next morning may prevent the mandatory rest period from being respected. The same issue can arise with night work, weekend work or schedules changed at the last minute.
Should you inform your temporary employment agency?
It is preferable to inform your agency when you combine two assignments. The agency may need to check that the schedules remain compatible with the assignment offered and that the employee does not exceed the authorised limits.
An employer may also request a written statement certifying that the employee complies with the rules relating to working time. This transparency protects the temporary worker, particularly in the event of an accident, delay, absence or fatigue linked to combining assignments.
What are the risks if the limits are exceeded?
The first risk is legal. Maximum working hours and rest periods must be respected, even when the contracts are with several employers. If the rules on combining jobs are not respected, the employee may be exposed to a fine of €1,500; this fine can reach €3,000 in the event of a repeat offence.
The second risk concerns safety. Working two assignments back-to-back without sufficient rest increases fatigue, mistakes and accidents, especially in physical sectors such as logistics, handling, industry, transport or night work.
Combining two part-time temporary assignments
Combining assignments is often easier when both assignments are part-time. It makes it possible to complete an incomplete week, provided that all scheduled hours are properly added together.
For example, two 20-hour assignments already represent 40 hours per week. If one of the two companies requests additional hours or if the schedule overruns, the limits can quickly be reached. Travel time must also be taken into account, as it does not always appear in the contract but has a real impact on the rhythm of the day.
Combining a temporary work assignment with a fixed-term or permanent contract
The same rules apply when a temporary work assignment is combined with a fixed-term contract, a permanent contract or another salaried job. The hours must be added together to check that daily and weekly limits are respected.
The employee must also check their main employment contract. An exclusivity clause, a duty of loyalty or a competing activity may limit the possibility of accepting another assignment. Even when there is no formal prohibition, the second job must not interfere with the proper performance of the first one.
Good practices before accepting a second assignment
Before signing a second assignment, it is better to lay out your full schedule clearly: working hours, travel time, rest days, hours already planned and any possible variations. This is the best way to know whether combining assignments is truly manageable.
It is also useful to keep a written record of your working hours, especially when the two assignments are handled by different agencies. Combining assignments can be a good solution to increase your income, but it must remain compatible with your health, safety and the obligations set out in each contract.
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