You are bound by whatever conditions you agreed to in the non compete contract. You can leave the job and likely still practice in your given field. The most common restriction is one of distance. So you cannot leave your current company and go across the street to work for a competitor.
Therefore, enforceable non-compete agreements in Florida do exist, but they must meet specific criteria: Reasonable Timeframe: Typically, one to two years is considered reasonable, but the exact duration depends on the ownership interest, industry, the specific business, and other factors.
Florida Courts Generally Enforce Non-Compete Agreements As a general rule, Florida courts will enforce non-compete agreements that employers have their employees sign as a condition of employment. This is true even when the only alternative to signing the agreement is to decline employment.
Florida's non-compete statute specifically states that a non-compete “not supported by a legitimate business interest is unlawful and is void and unenforceable.” The meaning of what is a “legitimate business interest” has been the source of a great deal of litigation.
Employers do enforce non-competes, but the extent varies. Some employers rigorously enforce these agreements to protect their business interests, while others may choose not to pursue legal action.
What voids a non-compete agreement in Florida? A non-compete agreement in Florida is voidable if it is unreasonable in geographic scope, length of time, or type of business it restricts.
Non-Competitive Activity at New Employer: One of the most straightforward ways to overcome a noncompete is by ensuring that your new role with a different employer is in a non-competitive capacity. If you're not engaging in activities that directly compete with your former employer's business, you may be in the clear.
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.
Some states (California and a few others) have made non-competes void by statute, but even in states that have not passed anti-non-compete laws, courts have been trending toward avoiding enforcement of these provisions (in favor of the employee) for years.
The following are the most common ways to get out of a non-compete agreement: Determine that the terms of the contract do not in fact prevent you from a desired course of action. Recognize when a non-compete contradicts the law. Negotiate a release agreement with the involved parties. Ignore the agreement.