A noncompete is unenforceable if it restricts an employee's ability to exercise their rights under federal law. No employer may enter into a covenant not to compete or a covenant not to solicit with any employee.
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.
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.
Non-compete agreements are generally binding as long as their scope is reasonable. But employment laws vary by state, and non-compete laws are no exception. So, the agreement your new employer had you sign may not be enforceable if they fire you. An employment lawyer can give you legal advice about your situation.
Ohio courts tend not to enforce non competition clauses lasting more than two years, although some Ohio courts have done so. Second is the geographic scope of the agreement. The larger the geographic area in which the employee is restricted from working, the more likely it is a court will holds it is too broad.
If there is a shortage of people in a particular specialty, or in a particular geographic area, then the employer cannot enforce a non-compete even if all the other requirements are met.
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.
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.
Fighting a Non-Compete in Ohio In the cases where a non-compete in Ohio is disputed, Ohio courts will evaluate the reasonability of the contract itself. The criteria used in this evaluation include: The duration prohibiting you from competing. The geographic area where you are prohibited from working.