In addition to reasonable geographic restrictions, the Massachusetts Noncompetition Agreement Act requires non-compete agreements made on or after October 1, 2018 to be reasonable in the scope of proscribed activities in relation to the applicable employer interests protected.
You agree that at no time during the term of your employment with the Company will you engage in any business activity which is competitive with the Company nor work for any company which competes with the Company.
Under California law, it's illegal to enforce non-compete agreements that put limits on an employee's future job prospects. ing to California Business and Professions Code Section 16600, any contract that restricts an individual from “engaging in a lawful profession, trade, or business” is null and void.
The case is noteworthy because the Supreme Court has now decisively shut the legal door on non-competition agreements that do not fit within specific statutory exceptions. The federal courts interpreting California law had permitted some non-compete agreements under a narrow-restraint exception.
On April 23, 2024, the FTC announced its Final Non-Compete Clause Rule (“Final Rule”), which bans post-employment non-compete clauses between employers and their workers. The Final Rule becomes effective 120 days after being published in the Federal Register (Effective Date).
Several factors can void or limit the enforceability of a non-compete agreement, including overly broad restrictions, unreasonable time frames or geographical limits, lack of consideration (such as compensation or job opportunities provided in exchange for the agreement), and violation of public policy.
In Massachusetts, a non-compete is only enforceable to protect a legitimate business interest.
The Employee specifically agrees that for a period of _____ months/years after the Employee is no longer employed by the Company, the Employee will not engage, directly or indirectly, either as proprietor, stockholder, partner, officer, employee or otherwise, in the same or similar activities as were performed for ...
(c) Employee name agrees not to set up in business as a direct competitor of company name within a radius of number miles of company name and location for a period of number and measure of time (e.g., “four months” or “10 years”) following the expiration or termination of this agreement.