How do I switch jobs with a non-compete?

Changing jobs with a non-compete agreement in place

1. Talk with a lawyer. Before you start actively seeking new employment, have an attorney review your non-compete agreement with you.
2. Job hunt on your own time.
3. Be honest with prospective employers.
4. Leave on good terms.

Can you get out of a non-compete contract?

According to the agreement you signed, you cannot go work for competing businesses if you leave your job. Fortunately for you, courts have recently limited the power of non-compete agreements to protect employees’ rights, making it possible (though not guaranteed) for you to get out of your non-compete.

How do you break a non-compete clause?

If the employer is willing to break the agreement, the candidate should get a release signed by the employer. If the employer is not willing to release the employee, there still might be a way to break the noncompete. With legal help, the employee might be able to prove that the employer cannot enforce the noncompete.

How do I get out of a non-compete clause?

Typically, the only way to fight a non-compete agreement is to go to court. If you are an employee (or former employee) who signed such an agreement, this means you must violate the agreement and wait to be sued. It may be that your former employer has never sued another employee to enforce the non-compete agreement.

What is a non-compete clause in a contract?

A non-compete agreement, or non-compete clause, is a legal contract that typically prevents you from working for competitors or becoming one yourself. If you are looking for a new job, and you’ve signed a non-compete agreement, you may want to review your agreement before applying for new positions.

How do I find a new job with a non-compete agreement?

Don’t call in sick, leave early or air any grievances. Exit as smoothly as possible. Finding a new job is exciting, but it can be more complicated when a non-compete agreement is in place. Talk with an attorney to make sure you understand the contract before applying for new opportunities.

How many people have signed non-compete agreements?

An estimated 30 million workers signed non-compete agreements when they started their jobs, which is about 18\% of the workforce. Another 37\% of workers say they’ve worked under non-compete agreements at some point in their careers, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Treasury (PDF).

Do non-competes limit job mobility and accelerate talent flight?

However, research has shown that non-competes limit job mobility, accelerate talent flight and discourage venture-capital investments in areas that enforce them. A non-compete agreement, or a covenant not to compete, is a contract that companies ask employees to sign to protect their corporate interests.