Fraud, misrepresentation, duress, or unconscionability are common defenses you can use if you want to void a severance agreement that you already signed.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Non-waivable claims: Certain claims, such as workers' compensation and unemployment insurance claims, cannot be waived by the employee. No prevailing party and attorney's fees: Ensure that the agreement does not include provisions that would allow either party to claim attorney's fees if legal disputes arise.
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.
The simplest way to get out of that kind of contract is merely to ask them to release your from it. If they refuse, you might need to get a lawyer to aid you in doing so. Non-compete contracts usually have penalties specified and certainly have durations. A contract that the courts deem to be unfair can be nullified.