4 ms·

It's not like Google would know. Those engineers signed NDAs and non-competes, just like practically everyone in the tech world.

• Nursie 13y ago
  NDAs are fine, but non-competes? You have to be kidding. They're of questionable legality and amount to an agreement to not use your one of your more valuable assets - domain knowledge. No thanks!
  • hga 13y ago
    In California, unenforceable for the likes of us. After long thought (years, really), I'm convinced that this is the real secret to Silicon Valley's long running success. It's certainly the only thing totally unique about California WRT to high tech.
    • anonymousDan 13y ago
      This occurred to me after about 1 week of working in a software company! It's so obvious, I wish we could get similar laws through here in the UK.
      • Nursie 13y ago
        The easy way in the UK is to refuse... Have you had non-compete clauses? I've been in UK software roles for the last 15(ish) years but never really had a non-compete... always assumed it wouldn't really fly here. A quick search on the web says this is a grey area - in the UK non-competes are only ever enforcable if the business can prove loss beyond simply increased competition. A generic non-compete seems worthless.
        • anonymousDan 13y ago
          Not so much non-competes, but restrictions on working on side projects while employed at a company, even if on my own time and with my own resources and on something not directly related to the companies area of business. Tbf, I'm still quite young and have only worked for one company, and so wasn't in much of a position to negotiate when I interviewed.