Depends on the terms of your severance. Companies that do it right give you a lump sum and let you do whatever you like afterwards. Others make you enroll in job retraining programs and promise a payment for some duration (12-26 weeks, typically, or one week per year of service). If you get a job before the retraining program ends, they cut your benefit. This is dumb because people will just line up work to start after their payments end. So, not many companies do it like this anymore.
HR should be able to field questions on this. Ask them what would happen if you got a part time job while you were on standby. Make clear that you do not have one and have not started looking, that you just want to stay busy while you wait to be called back. The answer should be, "Nothing."
I think the severance is lump sum, with no retraining or placement assistance available. I'm specifically thinking about the furlough or standby period, when I think I'm still employed (i.e they would verify employment) but not getting paid other than unemployment.
A friend in the know has said I should not breathe a word of another job to our HR rep, that it would be construed as a resignation, so I'm hesitant to ask outright. I have a list of questions to ask when I am placed on standby, including what my responsibilities are during this time. I know there are some rules regarding timesheets, how much time you have to report back if you are called back (because may decide to *travel*). And of course, read the fine print on any paperwork I am required to sign. If it doesn't come up, I don't think I will bring it up.
I don't think you should have a problem, but I would not want to work in anything way shape or form for a perceived competitor or customer. If you have separation the company really doesn't have much claim to your right to work.
No, this would not involve working for a competitor or customer. I think I will ask for copies of anything I signed when I joined the company, so I'm aware of any non-compete when I do start looking for another job.
I will also stay completely behind the scenes. I've always thought it would be fun to work in a bookstore, but it could cause problems if the HR rep saw me there.
Thanks for the input!