Indiana courts do not usually look favorably on non-compete agreements or restrictive covenants. The burden of proof is on your employer to show the contract you signed is valid. However, you still might face limitations in your employment after moving on from a company.
In order to be enforceable in Indiana, a non-compete clause must be reasonable throughout the terms of the agreement. Many courts do not smile upon non-competes, simply because they can be seen as inhibiting a person's ability to make a living.
Primary care physician non-compete agreements are unenforceable: Indiana now bans non-compete agreements with primary care physicians (PCP). Primary care physician is defined as a physician practicing in Family medicine, General pediatric medicine or Internal medicine.
In Indiana, judges decide if a non-compete is enforceable based on whether or not it is reasonable. The state of Indiana has some of the highest standards for non-compete agreements.
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.
If there is a non-competition clause in your separation agreement that is indeed enforceable, your employer can take legal action against you for violating your contract. They may pursue monetary damages, or, more commonly, an injunction.
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.
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.