Workers Are Celebrating a Ban on Noncompetes. Employers Are Ready to Fight.

[mattja]

Millions of workers will have more freedom over where they work should a recent Federal Trade Commission ban on nearly all noncompete agreements take effect.

In interviews with The Wall Street Journal, workers largely cheered the new rule. They say they are already thinking about ways a ban on noncompetes could help them and others change jobs and earn more.

Many major employers, on the other hand, are fighting the decision with a challenge in federal court filed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and backed by the Business Roundtable, which represents chief executive officers of some of the country’s biggest employers. Some employers are also preparing to change the way they train and pay their workers.

The ban is set to go into effect at the end of August, but could be delayed or struck down by lawsuits.

https://archive.is/XNIA0

IMO, non-competes hurt entrepreneurship, but at the same time I don't think anyone has the right to grab the company Rolodex, blueprints, and start-up shop on the back of his previous employer. There needs to be a middle ground.

And I don't think this is a case for the FTC or Labor Dept. to rule on. This needs to be decided in Congress or left to the states.

You'd be surprised how many employees have to resort to lawyers, even in California where non-competes are routinely ignored. You can tell how much your company fears your skills by how illegal they make the requirements to receive your severance package.

[NORTY FLATZ]

"Intellectual Property..."