I have had a non compete clause suggested by my last few clients. Usually initially 12 months. For the last few the conversations have usually been like this:

I have had a non compete clause suggested by my last few clients. Usually initially 12 months. For the last few the conversations have usually been like this: (client): "Here is our standard contract" (me): "Please remove the 12 months non compete clause" (client): "How about 6 months non compete?" (me): "No" (client): "3 months?" (me): "Fine, where do I sign?" I don't mind 3 months non compete. I can take a longer holiday if I desperately need to go straight back. I never have and 6 months is probably ok as well. It is mostly if I go somewhere else and it for some reasons finished early after a few months, then I am free to go wherever I choose.