Under Texas law, a covenant not to compete is only enforceable if it is ancillary to or part of an otherwise enforceable agreement and it contains reasonable limitations regarding time, geographical area, and scope of activity.
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.
To get out of a non-compete agreement in Texas, you may negotiate with your employer, prove that the terms are unreasonable or unenforceable, or show that it violates legal standards.
The very basic requirements are that the non-compete must (1) be in writing; (2) be part of an employment contract; (3) be based on valuable consideration; (4) be reasonable in scope of time and of territory; (5) not be against public policy.
While Texas courts generally disfavor non-compete agreements, they will enforce a non-compete covenant if it is executed for valid consideration, contains reasonable geographic, temporal, and activity restrictions, and protects the employer's legitimate business interests.
The Non-Compete Rule would prohibit employers from entering into or otherwise enforcing non-compete clauses and some similar agreements, beginning on September 4, 2024. It would also require employers to notify workers subject to such agreements that their agreements are no longer enforceable.
An employee also may be able to get out of a non-compete agreement if the restrictions are unreasonable. Above all, a non-compete agreement must be reasonable in all of the following ways to be enforceable: Scope of activity restricted; Scope of geographic area restricted; and.
Certain professions are exempt from Texas non-compete law or have specific requirements for a valid agreement, including doctors, attorneys, and social workers. Speak with an attorney to determine if your agreement may be subject to additional scrutiny.
On July 3, 2024, as anticipated, U.S. District Judge Ada Brown of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas granted Plaintiffs' and Plaintiff-Intervenors' motion to stay and preliminarily enjoin the effective date of the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) final rule banning non-competition restrictions.