Non-compete agreement

[Sam]

I was let go from an employer within my three
month probationary time due to a merger and eventually a duplication of management services. There was no severance given and I was left without a job after turning a few jobs down and leaving a good job to take this one. Does this company have a right to enforce a non-compete that prevents me from making a living in my chosen field, just because they did't have a need for me after their merger. This is not right, if anyone has any advise I would appreciate it. Thanks

 

[Moe from MO]

It all depends on your state -- some states are hostile to them, others enforce them more. As a practical matter it depends on the circumstances -- what skills you had when you went in, what your career was before, the exact language of the agreement, your job duties, and whether you'd be unfairly competing.

Few courts would ever think of enforcing an agreement that prevented you from earning a living. Is the non-compete reasonable in terms of the scope and the duration? If not, don't worry about it, or see a lawyer on AttorneyPages.com who knows employment law in your area to be sure.