The ban covers all non-competes for U.S. workers (including employees and independent contractors) with limited carve-outs, and is subject to certain exceptions based on the FTC's statutory authority.
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.
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.”
compete agreement is not voided if you resign or are fired. In fact, this is exactly when the company wanted this protection to apply... If you violate an enforceable noncompete, you could be sued for any actual losses suffered by your exemployer.
Non-compete agreements must be specifically limited in two distinct ways, 1) in time, and 2) in geographic area. If a non-compete clause or agreement fails to limit the scope of the contract to a specific time period and a specific geographic area, it can often be invalidated.
Even workers labeled as “independent contractors”—who should have the freedom to work for multiple clients—are often required to sign non-competes that limit where they can work. Employers often present non-competes as a “take it or leave it” contract, forcing workers either to sign or forego employment.
Outside of those industries, the major exceptions include (1) existing agreements for “senior executives” (defined below), (2) non-competes entered into in connection with the bona fide sale of a business, and (3) non-competes enforced where the cause of action accrued prior to the rule's effective date.
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.