Yes. It affects everyone in the US, it's a federal ruling. You simply will not have any more non compete clauses in any employment agreements, outside the handful of given exceptions. That does not mean your employer has to tolerate your working for a competitor, however. You will just be subject to termination.
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.
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. Existing noncompetes are void and unenforceable, including out-of-state noncompetes.
New York courts will only enforce them in only very rare limited situations. As explained more below, we are able to defeat most non-compete agreements by using the Legitimate Business Interests Test. A court will only enforce a non-compete agreement if the company can satisfy this test and most companies cannot do so.
Are non-competes legal? A non-compete is only allowed and enforceable to the extent it (1) is necessary to protect the employer's legitimate interests, (2) does not impose an undue hardship on the employee, (3) does not harm the public, and (4) is reasonable in time period and geographic scope.
compete agreement could also bar someone from looking for work in their industry from six months to two years after they leave their previous employer. If you break your end of the contract by taking a job with a competitor, your employer may sue.
Takeaways. On December 23, 2023, Gov. Kathy Hochul vetoed the New York State Legislature's proposed ban on all new non-compete agreements. Despite the veto, Governor Hochul has left open the possibility of a statewide restriction on non-compete agreements for lower-wage workers.
Summary: This bill would prohibit employers from entering into non-compete agreements with employees, and it would rescind any non-compete agreements that predate the effective date of this bill. Employers would be subject to a $500 civil penalty for each violation of this bill. Ver.
Some courts will routinely enjoin the departing employee from competing with the old employer simply because he or she signed a noncompete, without worrying much about the employer's legitimate interest. At the other extreme are states like California and Colorado that never enforce noncompetes signed by employees.