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.
Although an early Utah case upheld a five-year non-compete provision, more recent experience shows that time limits under a year can often be enforced, restrictions up to two years are sometimes enforced, and restrictions beyond two years are rarely enforced.
``In order to enforce a restrictive covenant, an employer must demonstrate that the clause protects one of its legitimate business interests. Secondly, the employer must show that the clause is reasonable, and it only goes so far as is necessary protect a legitimate business interest of the employer.''
Restrictive covenants are contract clauses which limit the activities of an employee during and after employment has ended. They are intended to prevent former employees from using the employer's confidential business information after they have left the job.
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.
Employers often include in employment contracts what are referred to as “restrictive covenants.” This term is generally used to describe two main types of contractual clause: the non-solicitation clause and the non-compete clause.
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 ...
Are discriminatory restrictive covenants illegal? Generally, yes. Since the United States Supreme Court's 1948 decision in the case Shelley v. Kraemer, restrictive covenants based on race have been unenforceableA contract will not be enforced by a court of law..
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.
Non-Competitive Activity at New Employer: One of the most straightforward ways to overcome a noncompete is by ensuring that your new role with a different employer is in a non-competitive capacity. If you're not engaging in activities that directly compete with your former employer's business, you may be in the clear.