If an employee violates their non-compete agreement, an employer may initiate legal proceedings, often with the assistance of an employment attorney. Legal measures can include initiating a lawsuit to claim damages and requesting an injunction to halt continued breaches of the non-compete agreement by the employee.
The Enforceability of Non-Compete Agreements in Florida In Florida, non-compete agreements are enforceable under Florida Statute 542.335, provided they are reasonable in terms of time, area, and line of business.
How long is a non-compete agreement valid in Florida? In Florida, most non-compete agreements are limited to two years. In the case of a sale of a business, a restrictive covenant is presumed reasonable if it's effective for no more than three years following the sale.
If the restriction on the employee is for an unusually long period of time, there's going to be a problem. One to two years is typically reasonable, while three to five years is unlikely to be upheld by a court.
If an employee violates their non-compete agreement, an employer may initiate legal proceedings, often with the assistance of an employment attorney. Legal measures can include initiating a lawsuit to claim damages and requesting an injunction to halt continued breaches of the non-compete agreement by the employee.
Voiding a non-compete contract is possible in certain circumstances such as proving you never signed it or the contract is against the public interest. In certain circumstances, it is possible to find non-compete contract loopholes that may void the contract.
A court determining the enforceability of a noncompete agreement will review the nature of the restraints to assess if they are reasonable. If unreasonable, a court may limit the noncompete in some ways (e.g., term length or geographic boundary) or, if necessary, void the agreement altogether.
In Florida, non-compete agreements prevent employees from competing with their former employers within a certain geographic area and for a particular duration. In contrast, non-solicitation agreements prohibit employees from soliciting the former employer's clients, customers, or employees.
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.