| Vikki, the whole "non-compete" thing bothers me because I have seen employers abuse it. I understand an employer not wanting an employee doing freelance work on the side because it creates a conflict of interest. I have no problem with that sort of agreement.
The problem I have is when I see employers coercing younger employees into signing agreements that state that they can't work in that industry for a certain period even after ending their employment. I have known several people who signed such documents under false pretense. I used to work in the sign industry (which can be pretty cut throat) doing design work and I saw this practice all the time. It's used as a way to keep wages down, especially with younger employees who do not always realize what they are signing. Some of this things are really absurd...such as, you can't work in said industry for 3 years after leaving the job. Or you can not take a similar position within a 100 mile radius!
I don't really have a problem with signing something that says you can not work freelance while employed with someone...but I don't think it should be legal to prevent someone from being able to make a living after leaving a job. And it's certainly questionable when an employer manipulates a young employee into signing something that amounts to labor slavery.  | 
01-08-2003, 03:09 PM
