Because it doesn't want the distraction and/or doesn't have the resources to pursue them, your employer's unlikely to ask for or want ideas unrelated to its bus

Because it doesn't want the distraction and/or doesn't have the resources to pursue them, your employer's unlikely to ask for or want ideas unrelated to its business. Because you're an ethical person and/or have a good appreciation of the legal risks, you're unlikely to try and implement ideas related to your employer's business. Because of the above, 'squirreling away ideas for a future startup' should only very rarely be an issue. Certainly not a company-breaker. Having to explain why you've abandon a standard and uncontroversial bit of IP protection to your potential investors - now there's a potential company-breaker.