According to laws of several countries, the non-compete agreement restricts the employee from revealing employer-related data even after quitting the job. These types of deals are reasonable in their time limit and geographic scope. Also, the non-compete agreements have some considerations to support their back.
But, if you ask about the acceptability of the non-compete, it depends on which interest the agreement will protect. So, a non-compete contract can have a significant effect on you after quitting or losing the job.
How does the non-compete agreement influence an employee?
Generally, a non-compete agreement comes as a legal contract that bars an employee from entering competition with the employer. The agreement can stay valid even after the employment period gets over. In that way, the employer can prohibit his ex-employee from working with the company’s competitor.
Also, the agreements can restrict the employee from revealing some trade secrets even after losing the job. But, such contracts usually come with a time limit. That means the employee needs to obey the clauses only for the restricted period. But, within the time frame, the person cannot even work in particular geographic locations too.
The non-compete agreement can even refrain an employee from working in this field if the person has left a position. Also, all these restrictions apply to an apprentice during and after his employment period. Below we discuss all points in detail.
- Cannot work with a competitor
If your employer makes you sign a non-compete agreement, it will bar you from working with a competitor. Also, in some cases, you cannot work in the same market after leaving or losing your previous job. Employers generally use these legal contracts to protect their private data and information.
- Will not be able to reveal the information.
Even after leaving or losing the job, an employee cannot reveal information due to the non-compete agreement. If you sign such contracts during your employment term, revealing trade secrets related to the previous job can seem illegal.
- The agreement can prevent you from getting a job in your field.
For instance, you have worked in a position in your previous workplace but left or lost the job. Now, if you have signed a non-compete agreement during your employment period, your employer can prevent you from getting work in the same field.
So, if you have such an agreement, only the written restrictions will apply to you after losing or leaving your job.
How can your employer enforce the non-compete agreement?
When an employer presents the non-compete agreement before the judge, the court decides the acceptability of the limitations. That is why the employer needs to write down the agreed facts clearly on the document. Also, sometimes the court can ask for additional evidence to prove the reasonableness of the limitations.
Bottom line An employer needs to act only according to the limitations implied by the non-compete agreements. The legal clause determines what an employer can and cannot do. So, if you have recently left or lost a job, act according to the non-compete agreement you signed during your employment period. It is a good idea to consult the best employment lawyers at Ward K Johnson Law Firm to understand these legalities.