NDAs that just cover exact work you are doing for the client and protection of their clients are fine. Really most just want you not talking about what you are

NDAs that just cover exact work you are doing for the client and protection of their clients are fine. Really most just want you not talking about what you are doing with the client to others or taking their clients. Non-competes are the problem and a huge anti-innovation monster out there lurking to get you. They can appear in NDAs, contract agreements and standalone. Refuse to sign these or make sure they ONLY last as long as the contract itself if you must. Some clients try to get you to sign a non-compete for 2+ years on 3-month contracts, many times they are just sending on a default template but some do it on purpose. That is just blatant ownership especially when you come on to transfer knowledge and skills to them in building up their products. They can own the work you do for them because they paid for it, but don't let them own you.