That might've been 'gardening leave'. When a senior employee with knowledge of company secrets leaves they're often saddled with a restraint of trade agreement

That might've been 'gardening leave'. When a senior employee with knowledge of company secrets leaves they're often saddled with a restraint of trade agreement that lasts at least a year and sometimes more. Because it would be illegal to prevent a person from working in their field of expertise, the company bars them from their offices but keeps paying them their regular salary until the restraint of trade period is up.