Independent Contractor Agreement With Non Compete Clause In Florida
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FAQ
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.
Every state has its own law regarding the use of non-competes. For example, in California, they are deemed illegal, except when selling a business or a shareholder's stock or dissolution of a partnership; while in Florida, they are allowed but are subject to strict scrutiny.
As previously reported (Dentons Alert), the US Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) issued a regulation earlier this year that effectively bans most non-competes for employees and independent contractors (the “FTC Rule”). The effective date of the FTC Rule is September 4, 2024.
Any restrictive covenant not supported by a legitimate business interest is unlawful and is void and unenforceable.
Florida Courts Generally Enforce Non-Compete Agreements As a general rule, Florida courts will enforce non-compete agreements that employers have their employees sign as a condition of employment. This is true even when the only alternative to signing the agreement is to decline employment.
Florida Statutes §542.335 (1) provides that the “enforcement of contracts that restrict or prohibit competition during or after the term of restrictive covenants, so long as such contracts are reasonable in time, area, and line of business, is not prohibited.”
Non-compete Agreements in Florida Typical non-compete restrictions include but are not limited to, limitations on a former employee's right to: Work for an employer's competitor. Start a competing business. Solicit clients or resources that belong to the employer, including other employees or contractors.
Add information about the parties involved. Describe the terms of the Non-Compete Agreement, such as the length and area of the restriction. If necessary, you can include a non-solicitation clause. Add a confidentiality clause.
