What is the name of your state? NY
I was forced by my employer to sign a non-compete that states I basically can't steal any of their clients if I were to leave them. It states that the non-compete is in effect for a year.
My questions is this: if I leave and refer my clients to another company, can I be sued? I mean doesn't free enterprise come into play here? And what if the clients want to come with me because I've serviced their accounts very well? Don't they have the right to work with whomever they want to? Is there a way out of the non-compete. We were told if we didn't sign it, our jobs would be terminated. Can I claim duress (sp?)
I was forced by my employer to sign a non-compete that states I basically can't steal any of their clients if I were to leave them. It states that the non-compete is in effect for a year.
My questions is this: if I leave and refer my clients to another company, can I be sued? I mean doesn't free enterprise come into play here? And what if the clients want to come with me because I've serviced their accounts very well? Don't they have the right to work with whomever they want to? Is there a way out of the non-compete. We were told if we didn't sign it, our jobs would be terminated. Can I claim duress (sp?)