I kind of have the attitude (and have exercised this in the past) that if my employer oversteps the bounds in such a ridiculous way, the contract becomes meaningless at that point.
It is, at the end of the day, paper with words on it.
The idea that this could affect future prospects is true, but only in a sort of vague way that doesn't really matter.
Imagine that a company works you to death and eventually you just can't turn up any more. Does it make sense to worry about references then? Do you ever want to work for such a company again, or even for someone who respects them? I wouldn't.
It is, at the end of the day, paper with words on it.
The idea that this could affect future prospects is true, but only in a sort of vague way that doesn't really matter.
Imagine that a company works you to death and eventually you just can't turn up any more. Does it make sense to worry about references then? Do you ever want to work for such a company again, or even for someone who respects them? I wouldn't.