Across Washington state, people have found creative ways to cobble together a livable income by working multiple jobs.

But some people seeking extra work find themselves facing an unexpected obstacle: their employers .

Many companies curtail the ability of their employees to “moonlight,” as the practice is commonly known, particularly for competitors. Think servers who work for multiple restaurants, or police officers who work as private security on the weekends.

Moonlighting bans usually take the form of provisions nestled in hiring contracts or policies that prohibit conflicts of interest. Worker advocates argue that these bans unfairly limit economic mobility for workers, especially those making the least.

This year, workers in Washington have filed dozens of lawsuits against s

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