WOT: Non-Compete Agreement, what to do?, I'm inclined not to sign it Options

[914rrr]

Figures. After only 5 months on the job, the company I work for has been sold as of this afternoon. Ex- employer is asking me to sign a termination agreement.

New employer wants me to sign a non-compete (among other things). I really don't want to, as it is too vague, WAY too broad reaching and there are no geographic limitations (world wide). I didn't sign one with the ex-employer since they didn't ask for one. New employer also has not extended any employment offer what so-ever. I was told the new owner is 'working on it'. Yeah, right. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) Kinda sounds like "...I'll only leave it in for a minute, baby..." (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sheeplove.gif)

What would YOU do?

[914rrr]

Well, it finally happened. I told him to (IMG:style_emoticons/default/KMA.gif) !!!!

At first I refused to sign the non-compete. This allowed me to drag it out a few weeks. I tried to negotiate the non-compete with the owner 2 times. The terms of the non-compete were outrageous,....like ANY activity at the job, no geographic boundry, no severance, etc. AND... he asked me to sign an employment agreement with absolutely no policies and procedures in place. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif)

Problem with signing a non-compete in TN (even an unreasonable one) is that employers usually win. Best I could hope for is to get the terms changed so they are more reasonable after spending $$$$$ in court.

Next comes things like changing my job title. Basicly a demotion, likely with a corresponding drop in pay.

Soooo... he's convinced I'm going to cave and sign, like all the other sheep in the office did. I tell him I'm resigning! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/finger.gif) I was their entire sales staff / only salesman. No biggie, as I'm not so sure the company will survive anyway, especially with the new owner at the wheel.

Thanks to all for the advice!

One thing to remember, if you sign a non-compete the employer has already won. They usually have waaaaaaay more money for litigation than you do. It also makes it harder to get hired at a new job with a non-compete hanging over your head.

A guy I recently bought a car from told me that his ex-employer (a major telcom) sued him for non-compete after leaving his job as a 'pre-emptive' measure. HE HAD DONE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to violate the non-compete, they simply did it "because they could"!!!!!! Even though he did nothing wrong, he lost (in Federal court, because they heavily favor employers), and it cost him about $30k to defend himself.