The short answer
Gaffr doesn't ask for exclusivity. Nothing in Gaffr Live stops you working through other crewing companies. Your agreement with another company may have its own terms about working elsewhere. Gaffr can't see those terms or say what they mean. Gaffr only knows about your Gaffr bookings, so clashes with other work are yours to manage.
Does Gaffr ask me to work only through Gaffr?
No. Gaffr's terms have no exclusivity clause and no clause about working elsewhere. You choose which Opportunities to take. Declining costs nothing, and there's no minimum acceptance rate.
Gaffr Live expects some crew to have other work. One of the reasons it lists for releasing a booking is "Clash with other work".
Could my other company's agreement stop me?
It might. Some agreements have clauses about working for competitors, or for the company's clients. Gaffr can't see your agreement with another company, and can't judge what it allows.
Acas calls a term stopping someone working for another employer an "exclusivity clause". It calls terms limiting what an employee does after they leave "restrictive covenants". These include "non-competition" and "non-solicitation" clauses. Acas says "this area of the law can be complex". It explains when the law limits these clauses.
In November 2025 the government asked for views on reforming non-compete clauses (GOV.UK working paper). None of it is law. This guide can't say how any of it applies to your agreement. A legal adviser can.
How do I avoid double-booking?
Gaffr only sees your Gaffr bookings. It won't offer you a Gaffr booking that overlaps one you already hold. It can't see work you've booked anywhere else.
Gaffr Live gives you these controls:
- Availability hours. Gaffr Live starts you on Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 18:00, and you can change them. Bookings mostly outside your hours only come while you're live.
- Go live. You choose when to go live, and set a live-until time.
- Decline. Declining an Opportunity costs nothing.
If a Gaffr booking clashes after you've accepted it, see Can't make a booking?.
Does the other company's insurance count?
Gaffr asks every crew member to upload a public liability insurance certificate before going live. That's Gaffr's condition for using the app. Gaffr doesn't check what any policy covers. Whether another company's cover protects you on Gaffr bookings is a question for that insurer. Public liability insurance explains what Gaffr asks for.
What about tax?
Gaffr reports what it pays you to HMRC each year, under the digital platform rules (GOV.UK). Gaffr's report covers only your Gaffr earnings. Gaffr doesn't deduct tax or National Insurance from your fee.
Tax and Self Assessment links GOV.UK's rules on the £1,000 trading allowance and who sends a tax return.
Does working through another company change my status?
Gaffr doesn't decide anyone's employment status, for Gaffr bookings or any other work. Acas explains how status is worked out.
GOV.UK says: "A person may have a different employment status in tax law". It also says: "Courts and tribunals can make final decisions on employment status".