There may be terms in your contract that says you can't work for a competitor or have contact with customers for a period of time after you leave the company. These are called 'restrictive covenants'. Your company could take you to court if you breach the restrictive covenants in your contract.
Is a 12-month restrictive covenant enforceable? Each case turns on its own facts, but a court is generally reluctant to enforce restrictive covenants longer than 12 months. Market practice dictates a period of between 3 and 6 months is appropriate for more junior employees.
In the United States, employers generally use four types of restrictive covenants: (1) covenants not to compete for a certain period of time following the employee's termination from employment (or following a business transaction such as a sale, merger, etc.); (2) covenants not to solicit customers or clients for a ...
The three types of covenants are positive, negative, and financial. Each contains a unique set of requirements and stipulations. Positive and negative covenants are not interchangeable as good or bad but rather refer to what borrowers can or cannot do.
Some of the most common restrictive covenants include: Alterations and extensions to the building. Changes to the use of a property, for example, converting a building into flats or turning a house into business premises. Rent and lease restrictions. Limitations on pets. Limitations on home colour.
If you want to find out the details of a restrictive covenant, the information may be held in documents or registers retained by HM Land Registry.
Restrictive Covenants, Explained This restricts how homeowners can manage and modify their land. Examples include restrictions on fence options, the type of animals allowed and the use of outbuildings, such as sheds.
An employee can challenge a restrictive covenant if they believe it is unreasonable or prevents them from finding suitable employment. If the covenant is too broad or not essential to protecting the employer's business, it may be deemed unenforceable by the courts.
A restrictive covenant that runs with the land is typically prohibitive in nature, meaning it restricts or limits what a property owner may do with the property. Examples include restrictions such as limitations on building height or prohibition against certain uses (pesticide use, for instance).