Author Topic: company requiring me to sign a non-compete  (Read 15525 times)

Case

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company requiring me to sign a non-compete
« on: February 09, 2017, 10:56:09 AM »
My employer, a major chemical company, is requiring me to sign a non-compete that prohibits me for working for competitors for 2 years after the termination of my employment.  If I sign this, this will effectively bar me from working if/when I leave the company, because my company is huge and has products all over the market; everyone is a competitor, unless I change professions.

What do I do?
I've read about options I can try, such as not signing, or requesting they give me a large severance package in the event that I leave to cover the period which I would not be able to work. 
However, I'm not optimistic that they will budge.  It feels unbelievably unfair for a company to have that much control over you; they could fire you and you couldn't work for a competitor.  And in my profession, if you have large gaps in employment, it is very hard to get back in with other companies.

yachi

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Re: company requiring me to sign a non-compete
« Reply #1 on: February 09, 2017, 11:29:58 AM »
I can't tell if you were just hired and this is part of the standard paperwork, or if you've been working there a long a time and they are just now requiring the non-compete form.  If you've been working there a long time, maybe they will be willing to raise your salary due to this new requirement.

You could have a lawyer review the document to see if it's even enforceable.  There may be geographical limits to the non-compete.  If you leave for another employer, they may be willing to pay your current company to transfer the non-compete, then you wouldn't need to leave your field.  I can't imagine they would fire you and then enforce the non-compete, unless you did something like take all their customers away.

Your company should have a legitimate business interest over and above ordinary competition, like trade secrets, valuable confidential business or professional information, substantial relationships with specific customers, goodwill associated with an ongoing business, or specialized training.

I would fight for 2 year's severance pay for firing without cause if they're going to hold you to the non-compete.

MayDay

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Re: company requiring me to sign a non-compete
« Reply #2 on: February 09, 2017, 11:33:07 AM »
ChemE here.

You'll have to sign one anywhere. Good luck getting a huge company to agree to a big severance or a change in the contract. Maybe I'm wrong but none of our employees would budge on that.

Not a lawyer but my H has done some research.  Most are unenforceable (depends on the state). If you get fired/laid off they can't prevent you from earning a living.

Area of concern for us is that if H voluntarily left his company for a competitor they might be able to enforce. Probably only for a direct competitor. Bummer since one competitor is headquartered in a city we would like to move to!

Probably no enforcement if you go to a non-direct competitor.

I am totally unconcerned about my employer as they are tiny and not vindictive. They wouldn't waste money on a lawyer to fight me.

All of my opinions are informed by Google, YMMV.
« Last Edit: February 09, 2017, 11:35:20 AM by MayDay »

HPstache

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Re: company requiring me to sign a non-compete
« Reply #3 on: February 09, 2017, 11:34:26 AM »
I concur with the above.  Pretty standard for an engineering job, but is very hard to enforce.

waltworks

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Re: company requiring me to sign a non-compete
« Reply #4 on: February 09, 2017, 11:36:18 AM »
Is this a condition of being hired, or something that they just sprung on you as a long-term employee?

I'd probably bluntly say "No". If they're that worried about you working for a competitor, it sounds like you have nothing to worry about, job-wise, so you should (in theory) have plenty of leverage here.

-W

yachi

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Re: company requiring me to sign a non-compete
« Reply #5 on: February 09, 2017, 11:52:45 AM »

Area of concern for us is that if H voluntarily left his company for a competitor they might be able to enforce. Probably only for a direct competitor. Bummer since one competitor is headquartered in a city we would like to move to!


I understand they are usually unenforceable outside of your company's own geographical area.  I think "I would have continued working for you, but you have no presence in this new city" is a valid reason to voluntarily leave for a competitor.  Especially if the job change is preceded by a request to work from home in the new city.

plog

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Re: company requiring me to sign a non-compete
« Reply #6 on: February 09, 2017, 11:57:12 AM »
Quote
What do I do?

No one knows but you.  You feel it is unfair, but are you able/willing to stand up for what you believe in?

I could go into a long tirade about right-to-work and at-will employment and how HR is meant to serve employers not employees, but all those ideological positions often get trumped by financial reality.  This all comes down to how much you believe in this and what you are willing to risk for it.  My advice for anyone coming to this thread is get your financial life in order so you don't have to put up with this bullshit.  Until then, you might just have to suck it up and play by the man's rules.   

JAYSLOL

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Re: company requiring me to sign a non-compete
« Reply #7 on: February 09, 2017, 12:57:20 PM »
On the one hand it seems unreasonable to not allow someone in a specialized field to work for a competitor after leaving the company, but in engineering I can see why that company wouldn't want an engineer they've paid for years, likely working on very valuable projects in the development stage, to just up and leave for a competitor with all that recent knowledge of what the company is pursuing. 

CareCPA

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Re: company requiring me to sign a non-compete
« Reply #8 on: February 09, 2017, 01:01:01 PM »
I recently had my non-compete reviewed by a lawyer.
I don't know what state you're in, but in PA it needs to be reasonable in duration and geographic area. He said he would never advise more than 2 years and about 20 or 30 miles. Anything beyond that becomes difficult to enforce.
Your state may vary.

Case

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Re: company requiring me to sign a non-compete
« Reply #9 on: February 09, 2017, 01:03:04 PM »
ChemE here.

You'll have to sign one anywhere. Good luck getting a huge company to agree to a big severance or a change in the contract. Maybe I'm wrong but none of our employees would budge on that.

Not a lawyer but my H has done some research.  Most are unenforceable (depends on the state). If you get fired/laid off they can't prevent you from earning a living.

Area of concern for us is that if H voluntarily left his company for a competitor they might be able to enforce. Probably only for a direct competitor. Bummer since one competitor is headquartered in a city we would like to move to!

Probably no enforcement if you go to a non-direct competitor.

I am totally unconcerned about my employer as they are tiny and not vindictive. They wouldn't waste money on a lawyer to fight me.

All of my opinions are informed by Google, YMMV.

I generally figured so much in terms of them not budging, but worth a try!

Case

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Re: company requiring me to sign a non-compete
« Reply #10 on: February 09, 2017, 01:03:47 PM »
Is this a condition of being hired, or something that they just sprung on you as a long-term employee?

I'd probably bluntly say "No". If they're that worried about you working for a competitor, it sounds like you have nothing to worry about, job-wise, so you should (in theory) have plenty of leverage here.

-W

Acquisition.

Case

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Re: company requiring me to sign a non-compete
« Reply #11 on: February 09, 2017, 01:05:40 PM »
Quote
What do I do?

No one knows but you.  You feel it is unfair, but are you able/willing to stand up for what you believe in?

I could go into a long tirade about right-to-work and at-will employment and how HR is meant to serve employers not employees, but all those ideological positions often get trumped by financial reality.  This all comes down to how much you believe in this and what you are willing to risk for it.  My advice for anyone coming to this thread is get your financial life in order so you don't have to put up with this bullshit.  Until then, you might just have to suck it up and play by the man's rules.   

Will I stand up for what I believe in?  Yes, but to a point.  I wont give up my job for it.  Too complicated (wife and I work for same company).

And yes, on the way towards FIRE for a reason.

Case

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Re: company requiring me to sign a non-compete
« Reply #12 on: February 09, 2017, 01:08:56 PM »
On the one hand it seems unreasonable to not allow someone in a specialized field to work for a competitor after leaving the company, but in engineering I can see why that company wouldn't want an engineer they've paid for years, likely working on very valuable projects in the development stage, to just up and leave for a competitor with all that recent knowledge of what the company is pursuing.

Yes, I understand the rationale, but it goes too far.  It could be interpreted as preventing me from working in my profession ANYWHERE for 2 years following termination.  Because this company has all types of products and competitors everywhere.  I understand this is the norm, etc... but it encroaches well beyond some basic rights.

Case

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Re: company requiring me to sign a non-compete
« Reply #13 on: February 09, 2017, 01:09:47 PM »
I recently had my non-compete reviewed by a lawyer.
I don't know what state you're in, but in PA it needs to be reasonable in duration and geographic area. He said he would never advise more than 2 years and about 20 or 30 miles. Anything beyond that becomes difficult to enforce.
Your state may vary.

This non-compete specifies 2 years following termination, world-wide; no joke.

MayDay

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Re: company requiring me to sign a non-compete
« Reply #14 on: February 09, 2017, 01:15:36 PM »
I recently had my non-compete reviewed by a lawyer.
I don't know what state you're in, but in PA it needs to be reasonable in duration and geographic area. He said he would never advise more than 2 years and about 20 or 30 miles. Anything beyond that becomes difficult to enforce.
Your state may vary.

This non-compete specifies 2 years following termination, world-wide; no joke.

Sounds way too broad to be enforced.

If you refuse to sign I wonder what they'll do. I wonder if you can encourage them to "lose" yours in the acquisition process. Oh, I already signed it! Or in the chaos of getting thousands signed, would they notice if you crossed out terms and made changes?

Ursus Major

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Re: company requiring me to sign a non-compete
« Reply #15 on: February 09, 2017, 01:16:06 PM »
This non-compete specifies 2 years following termination, world-wide; no joke.
Talk to an attorney that specializes in this. They can advise you how much of this is enforceable.

SimpleCycle

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Re: company requiring me to sign a non-compete
« Reply #16 on: February 09, 2017, 01:20:14 PM »
I recently had my non-compete reviewed by a lawyer.
I don't know what state you're in, but in PA it needs to be reasonable in duration and geographic area. He said he would never advise more than 2 years and about 20 or 30 miles. Anything beyond that becomes difficult to enforce.
Your state may vary.

This non-compete specifies 2 years following termination, world-wide; no joke.

Talk to an employment lawyer, but honestly, the broader the terms the less likely the company is able to enforce the agreement.  My state has pretty clear case law making many of these agreements unenforceable.

In order for any of this to matter, you would have to leave your job for a competitor and the company would have to bring a lawsuit against you for violating the agreement.  Then the court would have to find that the contract is enforceable by the employer, which in most states requires that it is reasonable in scope.  Writing it very broadly to exclude nearly all employment is very unlikely to be enforceable.

To me this is an EASY decision to spend $200-$500 getting legal review to protect your future earning potential.

SimpleCycle

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Re: company requiring me to sign a non-compete
« Reply #17 on: February 09, 2017, 01:21:31 PM »
On the one hand it seems unreasonable to not allow someone in a specialized field to work for a competitor after leaving the company, but in engineering I can see why that company wouldn't want an engineer they've paid for years, likely working on very valuable projects in the development stage, to just up and leave for a competitor with all that recent knowledge of what the company is pursuing.

Yes, I understand the rationale, but it goes too far.  It could be interpreted as preventing me from working in my profession ANYWHERE for 2 years following termination.  Because this company has all types of products and competitors everywhere.  I understand this is the norm, etc... but it encroaches well beyond some basic rights.

Like everyone else is saying, this is way too broad to be enforceable.

Tuskalusa

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Re: company requiring me to sign a non-compete
« Reply #18 on: February 09, 2017, 01:23:09 PM »
Check your state laws. Non-competes are not enforceable in CA.

Malum Prohibitum

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Re: company requiring me to sign a non-compete
« Reply #19 on: February 09, 2017, 01:27:42 PM »
Check your state laws. Non-competes are not enforceable in CA.
  This is very important advice.   I am an attorney.  I have dealt with many of these, and I have dealt with them not just on the front end, when people are considering them (most people just sign them without regard to the consequences) but on the back end, when people are violating them.

Some states enforce them.

Some states even REWRITE unenforceable provisions to make them enforceable.  That's correct.  You did not read my writing incorrectly.  You have an unenforceable agreement, you leave to work for a competitor, and, when your old employer takes you to court, the court will rewrite the agreement to make it enforceable.

Even in states where it is not enforceable, or perhaps certain provisions are not enforceable, your new employer is not going to be happy about being sued for injunctive relief.

Either do not sign it, or get something that makes it damn well worth it.    I could tell you stories that would make you cry. 

They can downsize, fire you, and still enforce it to keep you from working for competitors.

Malum Prohibitum

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Re: company requiring me to sign a non-compete
« Reply #20 on: February 09, 2017, 01:30:09 PM »
Is this a condition of being hired, or something that they just sprung on you as a long-term employee?

I'd probably bluntly say "No". If they're that worried about you working for a competitor, it sounds like you have nothing to worry about, job-wise, so you should (in theory) have plenty of leverage here.

-W

Acquisition.
  Acquisition.  I don't suppose you can get everybody to refuse to sign?  Would they cut the whole lot of you loose? If so, at least you are free to go elsewhere, or maybe you can all start your own engineering firm.

GuitarStv

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Re: company requiring me to sign a non-compete
« Reply #21 on: February 09, 2017, 01:31:26 PM »
What happens if you just ignore the agreement after you quit?

How are they going to know where you're working, and what kind of team of people do they have looking to enforce this agreement?

Malum Prohibitum

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Re: company requiring me to sign a non-compete
« Reply #22 on: February 09, 2017, 01:32:41 PM »
What happens if you just ignore the agreement after you quit?

How are they going to know where you're working, and what kind of team of people do they have looking to enforce this agreement?
  You place your new employer in the position of getting sued.  In some industries, it's a small world.

brian313313

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Re: company requiring me to sign a non-compete
« Reply #23 on: February 09, 2017, 01:37:09 PM »
Someone I know took a job with a competitor. To be safe, he did not tell current employer where he was going. He did not update LinkedIn until after the period ended. I don't think the employer would have prevented this anyways but he was playing it safe.

Brilliantine

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Re: company requiring me to sign a non-compete
« Reply #24 on: February 09, 2017, 01:44:05 PM »
Someone I know took a job with a competitor. To be safe, he did not tell current employer where he was going. He did not update LinkedIn until after the period ended. I don't think the employer would have prevented this anyways but he was playing it safe.

Umm this is not cool. If I were in a situation where I'd signed a non-compete and I were being recruited, I'd disclose the terms of the non-compete and try to make sure that they'd assume all the risk of hiring me.

yachi

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Re: company requiring me to sign a non-compete
« Reply #25 on: February 09, 2017, 01:49:44 PM »
Someone I know took a job with a competitor. To be safe, he did not tell current employer where he was going. He did not update LinkedIn until after the period ended. I don't think the employer would have prevented this anyways but he was playing it safe.

Umm this is not cool. If I were in a situation where I'd signed a non-compete and I were being recruited, I'd disclose the terms of the non-compete and try to make sure that they'd assume all the risk of hiring me.

Well, no part of what brian wrote said he did not tell the new company he had signed non-compete.  Just that he didn't tell his old company where he was going.

AZDude

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Re: company requiring me to sign a non-compete
« Reply #26 on: February 09, 2017, 01:50:37 PM »
However, I'm not optimistic that they will budge.  It feels unbelievably unfair for a company to have that much control over you; they could fire you and you couldn't work for a competitor.  And in my profession, if you have large gaps in employment, it is very hard to get back in with other companies.

Then do not work there. Give them the finger and find a different job. I would not work at a place that tries to trap you into working forever.

MayDay

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Re: company requiring me to sign a non-compete
« Reply #27 on: February 09, 2017, 01:53:26 PM »
Someone I know took a job with a competitor. To be safe, he did not tell current employer where he was going. He did not update LinkedIn until after the period ended. I don't think the employer would have prevented this anyways but he was playing it safe.

Umm this is not cool. If I were in a situation where I'd signed a non-compete and I were being recruited, I'd disclose the terms of the non-compete and try to make sure that they'd assume all the risk of hiring me.

Well, no part of what brian wrote said he did not tell the new company he had signed non-compete.  Just that he didn't tell his old company where he was going.

This seems to be the norm. Don't tell old company where you are going, hope they don't poke around. Of course you tell the new company.

Papa bear

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Re: company requiring me to sign a non-compete
« Reply #28 on: February 09, 2017, 01:53:26 PM »
What happens if you just ignore the agreement after you quit?

How are they going to know where you're working, and what kind of team of people do they have looking to enforce this agreement?

From the sales world:

Usually a cease and desist letter or 2.  And then nothing. Unless you really go after clients or bad mouth someone.  Then they might sue.

And most of the firms pay to defend their new employee. 

So. Leave, get a new job.  Lay low, ignore cease and desists.  Sometimes it all goes away.  Sometimes not.


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SimpleCycle

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Re: company requiring me to sign a non-compete
« Reply #29 on: February 09, 2017, 01:54:05 PM »
My employer, a major chemical company, is requiring me to sign a non-compete that prohibits me for working for competitors for 2 years after the termination of my employment.  If I sign this, this will effectively bar me from working if/when I leave the company, because my company is huge and has products all over the market; everyone is a competitor, unless I change professions.

What do I do?
I've read about options I can try, such as not signing, or requesting they give me a large severance package in the event that I leave to cover the period which I would not be able to work. 
However, I'm not optimistic that they will budge.  It feels unbelievably unfair for a company to have that much control over you; they could fire you and you couldn't work for a competitor.  And in my profession, if you have large gaps in employment, it is very hard to get back in with other companies.

In my experience, people who work in industries where non-competes are standard, companies understand a resume gap from sitting out a non-compete.  My wife works in such an industry, and encounters it quite often.  However, it is also standard in her industry to have severance tied to the non-compete.

GuitarStv

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Re: company requiring me to sign a non-compete
« Reply #30 on: February 09, 2017, 01:56:03 PM »
Does the non-compete still apply if they fire you?

Fishindude

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Re: company requiring me to sign a non-compete
« Reply #31 on: February 09, 2017, 02:02:01 PM »
There are reasons for employers to require non competes.  I've had employees quit an be a real pain trying to steal clients over to their new employer.  We now require non competes and have pushed the issue one time which caused the guy to lose his new job.  Some say they aren't enforceable but a big company can make your life pretty miserable and cost you some money in these circumstances.  If you don't like their terms work somewhere else. 

Capsu78

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Re: company requiring me to sign a non-compete
« Reply #32 on: February 09, 2017, 02:04:21 PM »
My experience has been the non compete being tied into accepting RSU's, profit shares or severance packages.  We will trade you a carrot for a stick.  While I have seen most of them go unenforced, if you suddenly show up as being amazing successful at your new job working with clients that were groomed on their time and dime, they do come charging after you...sometimes just because ego of sales management gets involved.

I am from the "not worth dying on this particular hill" club.

trollwithamustache

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Re: company requiring me to sign a non-compete
« Reply #33 on: February 09, 2017, 02:14:05 PM »
If its a big company, they may not know how to deal with you having a little proper, well, civil disobedience.  I've had some luck redlining out all of the objectionable terms, initialing my redlines, and signing. They never did anything because, I had signed the form, the low level HR person couldn't counter sign with my mark ups,  they didn't have a budget for legal review of my marks, may not have immediately brought the problem to their supervisors attention so it may have been easier to not deal with it.  But, I did sign it so I wasn't on the list of people who hadn't signed.  I absolutely think a non-disclosure agreement is a reasonably thing to have to abide by, but that is a separate animal.

YMMV

Gondolin

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Re: company requiring me to sign a non-compete
« Reply #34 on: February 09, 2017, 02:44:07 PM »
Quote
I've had some luck redlining out all of the objectionable terms, initialing my redlines, and signing.

This is the equivalent of putting one of those "Facebook does not have a right to use my info" statements in your profile. No court is going to accept your unilateral edits as valid and, in fact, the agreement itself no doubt states explicitly under what circumstances any changes to the agreement can be made after both parties sign.

You might be able to get by an HR flunky who doesn't much care this way but, you have still signed the document. In the unlikely event that your employer attempts to enforce it, it is not likely that the judge will care about your 'redlines'.

GuitarStv

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Re: company requiring me to sign a non-compete
« Reply #35 on: February 09, 2017, 03:09:30 PM »
Quote
I've had some luck redlining out all of the objectionable terms, initialing my redlines, and signing.

This is the equivalent of putting one of those "Facebook does not have a right to use my info" statements in your profile. No court is going to accept your unilateral edits as valid and, in fact, the agreement itself no doubt states explicitly under what circumstances any changes to the agreement can be made after both parties sign.

You might be able to get by an HR flunky who doesn't much care this way but, you have still signed the document. In the unlikely event that your employer attempts to enforce it, it is not likely that the judge will care about your 'redlines'.

The document he signed has been altered.  Modifications to contracts happen all the time.  The contract is not legally binding until both parties agree to and sign it.  (Likely this is the loophole that TWM is hoping to exploit . . . the HR person just knows that the document needs to be signed - it was signed, box can be ticked off.)  I'd be surprised if a judge failed to consider the modifications to the contract made before signing it in a case, it would be on the company to respond with a modified contract or require an unaltered contract to be signed.

trollwithamustache

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Re: company requiring me to sign a non-compete
« Reply #36 on: February 09, 2017, 03:43:40 PM »
Quote
I've had some luck redlining out all of the objectionable terms, initialing my redlines, and signing.

This is the equivalent of putting one of those "Facebook does not have a right to use my info" statements in your profile. No court is going to accept your unilateral edits as valid and, in fact, the agreement itself no doubt states explicitly under what circumstances any changes to the agreement can be made after both parties sign.

You might be able to get by an HR flunky who doesn't much care this way but, you have still signed the document. In the unlikely event that your employer attempts to enforce it, it is not likely that the judge will care about your 'redlines'.

I'm curious here.  (and I'm definitely  not saying this redlining trick is my preferred method of negotiating contracts). If someone modifies a document, and initials and dates it , they've made it pretty clear they have modified it. (hence redline, I really did use red ink/not trying to hide anything) I've also seen people make  a note under their signature saying there are modifications. The modifications were made *before* I signed and before the company would have signed, if they ever did. These are not modifications after the agreement was signed by the company or me.  Can a good (expensive) lawyer get the originally typed text to stick as the agreement?

I've also done this were I got the word document, deleted everything I don't like and then sent it in signed. presumably there is no issue there.

This is absolutely a fly under the radar / bet on corporate incompetency strategy employed by a guy in California where the non compete probably wasn't enforceable anyways.

Malum Prohibitum

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Re: company requiring me to sign a non-compete
« Reply #37 on: February 09, 2017, 04:25:22 PM »
Does the non-compete still apply if they fire you?
  Typically, yes.  I do not recall seeing one where this was not the case.  Obviously, if that were not the case, then the employee could just start doing things to get fired and invalidate the noncompete. 

Malum Prohibitum

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Re: company requiring me to sign a non-compete
« Reply #38 on: February 09, 2017, 04:27:46 PM »
These are unenforceable for all except maybe executives that have golden parachutes anyways.
  Wow, please stick to your day job and try not to practice law.  This is very bad advice.

Malum Prohibitum

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Re: company requiring me to sign a non-compete
« Reply #39 on: February 09, 2017, 04:29:52 PM »
Quote
I've had some luck redlining out all of the objectionable terms, initialing my redlines, and signing.

This is the equivalent of putting one of those "Facebook does not have a right to use my info" statements in your profile. No court is going to accept your unilateral edits as valid and, in fact, the agreement itself no doubt states explicitly under what circumstances any changes to the agreement can be made after both parties sign.

You might be able to get by an HR flunky who doesn't much care this way but, you have still signed the document. In the unlikely event that your employer attempts to enforce it, it is not likely that the judge will care about your 'redlines'.

I'm curious here.  (and I'm definitely  not saying this redlining trick is my preferred method of negotiating contracts). If someone modifies a document, and initials and dates it , they've made it pretty clear they have modified it. (hence redline, I really did use red ink/not trying to hide anything) I've also seen people make  a note under their signature saying there are modifications. The modifications were made *before* I signed and before the company would have signed, if they ever did. These are not modifications after the agreement was signed by the company or me.  Can a good (expensive) lawyer get the originally typed text to stick as the agreement?

I've also done this were I got the word document, deleted everything I don't like and then sent it in signed. presumably there is no issue there.

This is absolutely a fly under the radar / bet on corporate incompetency strategy employed by a guy in California where the non compete probably wasn't enforceable anyways.

Typically handwritten provisions control over typed provisions.  This assumes that the corporation representative signs after the modifications have been made.  Typically the parties each initial the changes so there are no claims later that the handwritten modifications were made by one party after the other signed, and the other party therefore did not see and did not agree to those modifications.

Dee18

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Re: company requiring me to sign a non-compete
« Reply #40 on: February 09, 2017, 06:14:41 PM »
I have a friend who just lost in court when he was sued by a former employer over a non-compete clause.  The court was very happy to enforce it.  Check with an employment lawyer in your state.

gmp029

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Re: company requiring me to sign a non-compete
« Reply #41 on: February 09, 2017, 06:52:41 PM »
I recall a thread in this forum about someone's former employer who went after them to recoup training costs that were recoverable if the person left the company within a certain timeframe. Personally, I would not under any circumstances trust that the company won't enforce, or attempt to enforce, the non-compete. They have deeper pockets than you do. If they can go after you for something, they will. DTA.

Edit: found it
http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/ask-a-mustachian/former-employer-billing-me-per-tuition-assistance/

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
« Last Edit: February 09, 2017, 06:56:34 PM by gmp029 »

Case

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Re: company requiring me to sign a non-compete
« Reply #42 on: February 09, 2017, 07:39:37 PM »
Is this a condition of being hired, or something that they just sprung on you as a long-term employee?

I'd probably bluntly say "No". If they're that worried about you working for a competitor, it sounds like you have nothing to worry about, job-wise, so you should (in theory) have plenty of leverage here.

-W

Acquisition.
  Acquisition.  I don't suppose you can get everybody to refuse to sign?  Would they cut the whole lot of you loose? If so, at least you are free to go elsewhere, or maybe you can all start your own engineering firm.

Appreciate the feedback.

Probably can't get many people to stand firm, but maybe could get a small handful to complain a lot.

In the end, I need the money and it is hard for me to find a new job because I my wife works at the company too.  But I will at least try to get something out of it.

Case

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Re: company requiring me to sign a non-compete
« Reply #43 on: February 09, 2017, 07:41:01 PM »
However, I'm not optimistic that they will budge.  It feels unbelievably unfair for a company to have that much control over you; they could fire you and you couldn't work for a competitor.  And in my profession, if you have large gaps in employment, it is very hard to get back in with other companies.

Then do not work there. Give them the finger and find a different job. I would not work at a place that tries to trap you into working forever.

I just may start a job search this weekend....

Case

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Re: company requiring me to sign a non-compete
« Reply #44 on: February 09, 2017, 07:42:08 PM »
Does the non-compete still apply if they fire you?

Yes. 

Goldielocks

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Re: company requiring me to sign a non-compete
« Reply #45 on: February 09, 2017, 09:28:57 PM »
On the one hand it seems unreasonable to not allow someone in a specialized field to work for a competitor after leaving the company, but in engineering I can see why that company wouldn't want an engineer they've paid for years, likely working on very valuable projects in the development stage, to just up and leave for a competitor with all that recent knowledge of what the company is pursuing.

Yes, I understand the rationale, but it goes too far.  It could be interpreted as preventing me from working in my profession ANYWHERE for 2 years following termination.  Because this company has all types of products and competitors everywhere.  I understand this is the norm, etc... but it encroaches well beyond some basic rights.
I would ask them to write in the specific names of the competitors from which you are barred for 2 years.  And ensure it is less than 5 (or fewer) names.    Senior personnel being hired often can modify these slightly, so maybe if you have enough heft, you can too.

BussoV6

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Re: company requiring me to sign a non-compete
« Reply #46 on: February 10, 2017, 12:41:18 AM »
I worked for a small chemical company that was acquired by a giant multinational chem company a few years ago. I also resisted a 2-year non compete. I eventually managed to negotiate a non-compete for 21 months in return for 6 months salary if I leave the company.

While I am not USA based, our company is global.

Cannot overstress the importance of getting competent local legal advice.

chasesfish

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Re: company requiring me to sign a non-compete
« Reply #47 on: February 10, 2017, 05:30:31 AM »
I'm late to the party on this.

The enforcement of these depends on the industry you work in.  As others have commented, it may be pretty ironclad in the chemical business because of proprietary information.

In my field of finance, a non-solicitation agreement holds up, but a non-compete does not.  They are difficult to enforce because it eliminates the ability to make a living.   

In the medical field, it tends to be a geographic restriction and they hold up. 

brian313313

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Re: company requiring me to sign a non-compete
« Reply #48 on: February 10, 2017, 06:00:52 AM »
Someone I know took a job with a competitor. To be safe, he did not tell current employer where he was going. He did not update LinkedIn until after the period ended. I don't think the employer would have prevented this anyways but he was playing it safe.

Umm this is not cool. If I were in a situation where I'd signed a non-compete and I were being recruited, I'd disclose the terms of the non-compete and try to make sure that they'd assume all the risk of hiring me.

Well, no part of what brian wrote said he did not tell the new company he had signed non-compete.  Just that he didn't tell his old company where he was going.

This seems to be the norm. Don't tell old company where you are going, hope they don't poke around. Of course you tell the new company.

This wasn't me so I don't know if he told the other company or not. I'm a software engineer and there are plenty of jobs so there's no need to go to work for a direct competitor. When that other guy left the company I was at back then, I thought it was unusual that he wouldn't tell anyone where he was going his last two weeks. The company we were working for really would not have cared in my opinion.

I had another issue recently where everything was disclosed. Microsoft hired one of our salespeople. We were a Microsoft Partner. He disclosed to both sides. His job offer almost fell through but in the end they worked it out that he couldn't call a specific list of clients for six months. The contract said a year but they negotiated. Microsoft sent them a lot of business so even though they were pissed that MS took their salesman, they wanted to keep the relationship good.

BeanCounter

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Re: company requiring me to sign a non-compete
« Reply #49 on: February 10, 2017, 06:36:03 AM »
My DH has been through this one before unfortunately. Not the same line of work though. Most attorney's will tell you NOT to sign a non-compete. But those of us who work in industries that have them know that it's useless to try and get out of them. Which is part of why they are not enforceable.
My DH's previous employer had a one year non-compete. I forget the geographical distance. He left the company, and was honest about where he was going. Long story short, it went all the way to arbitration. We did hire an attorney. The company tried to settle at arbitration (it was just an attempt at a cash grab). My DH told them "I came here to dance". They failed to show the arbitrator damages from my DH moving to the other company and everything was dismissed. We paid $1,200 in legal fees, which we probably could have demanded per the contract for them to pay but our attorney advised against it.
Bottom line is (and I'm not an attorney) your employer would have to be able to substantiate damages from you changing companies.
Courts/arbitrators typically don't look favorably on restricting someone's employment opportunities. Most companies know these things and won't pursue enforcing the contract.

 

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