I've seen attempts made to enforce it. We call it the nuclear option because for small companies, we are talking mutually assured destruction do to lawyer fees

I've seen attempts made to enforce it. We call it the nuclear option because for small companies, we are talking mutually assured destruction do to lawyer fees -- and virtually guarantees the former employee will go bankrupt. And at least in my town, word gets around that you are hostile to your employees, meaning hiring grinds to a immediate halt. If you are a consulting company...good luck with the next contract. No one will want to work for you or with you, and multiple current employees will quit on principle. At least that is what I saw happen at a former company I was with. All of this was in "Right to Work" state that invalidates non-competes anyway.