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Laws and exemptions vary by state, so research your state. Non-competes generally require consideration, time limit, and geographic range to be enforceable. Ag
by gregjor 6y ago
Laws and exemptions vary by state, so research your state.
Non-competes generally require consideration, time limit, and geographic range to be enforceable. Again rules vary by state.
In 40 years working as a programmer in multiple states I can’t recall signing a non-compete more than a couple of times. Obviously lots of people with non-competes change jobs all the time, so I don’t think it’s a big problem unless you actively harm your former employer.
- shoo 6y agoI once paid for legal advice about a non compete & received advice that it was worded as too broad to be enforceable or that it likely would be diluted & reduced in scope if it ever ended up in court. So getting individual advice is always an option, but might not be cheap. > I don’t think it’s a big problem unless you actively harm your former employer. Anecdotally, I've heard of two situations where employees left a business to start their own business directly competing with former employer, in both cases the former employer initiated legal action. In both cases they ended up with viable businesses after a year or two of legal battles. So if you're thinking of doing this, might be worth getting legal advice first. If you're given a new contract to sign with non competes etc you can always try striking out the clauses you don't like then see what the other party does. This probably isn't a winning move if you really need the work but if you have other options and can afford to walk away it gives you a bit more flexibility to ask for better terms, many things are often negotiable.