Fraud, misrepresentation, duress, or unconscionability are common defenses you can use if you want to void a severance agreement that you already signed.
In many cases, non-competes are crafted to endure after termination to protect the employer's well-being, but their enforceability varies based on jurisdiction and the reason for termination.
It is generally unlawful in California for an employer's severance agreement to state that you may not compete against the employer in a future job.
"A covenant not to compete contained in a contract for personal services will be enforced if it is reasonable, based on all the circumstances."
Non-competes are generally binding. So they are enforceable when an employee leaves the company. It doesn't matter if you're fired or resign. Valid agreements must be reasonable in scope.
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.
It is generally unlawful in California for an employer's severance agreement to state that you may not compete against the employer in a future job.
Provide written request: Send a written request via email or letter to your former employer asking for a copy of the non-compete agreement. By doing this, you will have a record of your request and may be able to use it as evidence if necessary.
To increase your chances of a successful negotiation, choose a reasonable counter-offer. Think about the resources your former employers can offer and what you can offer in return. Employers usually do not want to engage in a lengthy negotiation, so presenting a reasonable offer may encourage them to accept to move on.