AB 1076 Makes Noncompetes Unlawful Noncompetes in the employment law context are expressly unlawful. Employers must notify California employees (and former employees) hired after January 1, 2022, that their noncompetes are void. (Employers had a deadline of February 14, 2024, to do this.)
Under California law, many non-compete agreements are automatically void. Evaluate whether your non-compete agreement falls under the general prohibition of California Business and Professions Code Section 16600. If the agreement was executed after January 1, 2024, it is likely void under AB 1076.
How To Legally Get Out of a Non-Compete Agreement Get a New Job That Doesn't Involve Competitive Activities. Prove That Your Former Employer Breached the Contract. Argue That the Non-Compete Provision Isn't Enforceable. Show That Your Previous Employer Has No Legitimate Business Interests.
California Business and Professions Code § 16600.5 states that a void non-compete under California law is “unenforceable regardless of where and when the contract was signed.” It also prohibits employers from enforcing a void provision “regardless of whether the contract was signed and the employment was maintained ...
Code §§ 16600, 16601, and 16602.5). The only exceptions are non-compete or restrictive covenants that fall within one of the narrow exemptions authorized by statute, all of which relate to the sale of the goodwill of a business, or of a substantial ownership stake in the business.
The notice must be "individualized" and inform the employee that the noncompete clause or agreement is void. The notice must be sent to the last known address of the employee or former employee and to their email address.
A noncompete agreement has the ability to threaten your future job prospects, prohibit you from using your hard earned skills and compromise your livelihood. Fortunately, it is unlawful for an employer to enforce non-compete agreements in California.
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.
Although non-competes are banned by California law, you can still have robust protections for confidential information and trade secrets. These provisions are critical and should be tailored enough to avoid being considered “de facto” non-competes.
So whereas non-solicitation agreements restrict a company's former employees from hiring the company's current employees and/or soliciting their clients, a non-compete agreement restricts a company's former employees from working at a competing company.