body: [This answer](https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/147145/i-was-offered-software-developer-position-in-a-multi-billion-dollar-company-base/147150#147150) on S.E's "the Workplace" says
  
  
  
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  > The employment agreement might prohibit disclosing the names of specific clients.
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  To what extent is that legally enforceable?
  
  
  I can understand that I may not be allowed to say on my CV/resume that I worked for certain government departments, but how is it in general? Further, I can see how a government department can, and can require the agency to pass that requirement on, but I do not believe that such a clause by an agency would hold up, as it is liable to deprive the signer of the the means of earning a living.
  
  
  Can Agency, Inc really take legal action if my CV and my statements at interview say that I worked ***at*** (not for) BigCompany, Inc, on a contract basis?
  
  
  As per my answer to [Working for a big company “through” another small company. Can I say I'm working for the first?](https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/146133/working-for-a-big-company-through-another-small-company-can-i-say-im-working/146145#146145)
  
  
  
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  > If you want to keep you conscience clear(ish), you could always say "I work at BigCompany, Inc" and let others draw their own conclusions.
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  > I will enlarge a little.
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  > I have been a software contractor for much longer than you have been alive, and use "I work for" since BigCompany gains from my work (more than the middle-man); they use the software that I develop, while the agent only takes a cut.
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  > But, the important part here is where you ask
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  `Now, the question is, am I wrong in writing on my resume that I'm a consultant for BigCompany?`
  
  
  
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  > You could do that.
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  > 2017 - 2109 BigCompany, Inc, Position: consultant
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  > Personally, I put
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  > 2017 - 2109 BigCompany, Inc, Position: senior software engineer
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  > But I would never, ever, ever name an agency on my CV.
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  > The reason is that hiring managers in the industry can gauge your suitability from companies where you have worked. So, having experience at British Aerospace is of interest to a hiring manager at Boeing, etc
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  It may also be worth mentioning that I am security cleared in Europe and work on sensitive government/military projects, and find risible the idea that a potential employer not be allowed to know of my employment history.
  
  
  Tl;dr - can an employment agency enforce a clause forbidding those who work for it disclosing for which companies they have worked?
  
  
  I have added a[united-states](/questions/tagged/united-states "show questions tagged 'united-states'") tag, as that is where the original question is based.
  
  
  
title: Can an employment agency enforce a clause forbidding those who work for it disclosing for which companies they have worked?