Can an employer make an employee sign a contract restricting their future employment?

I am answering my final exam questions for my online class. I need to know if an employer can legally make an employee sign a contract prohibitting them to work for a competitor employer in the U. S. for a period of 2 years after they leave the company.

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11 comments ↓

#1 ∞infiniti∞ on 03.10.10 at 9:43 am

Yes, it is called a “Covenant not to Compete Agreement”.

#2 nitro on 03.10.10 at 10:13 am

yes they can do it. its up to the candidate to sign it or not.

#3 Kryptonian on 03.10.10 at 10:14 am

Yes, it’s a standard “non-compete” clause. Many companies do it. You don’t have to sign it, but then again, they don’t have to hire you.

#4 kendo H on 03.10.10 at 10:27 am

no one can ‘make’ you sign a contract. you do have a choice as to what you put your signature to

#5 Louis C on 03.10.10 at 11:02 am

its a period of 1 year, and usually only applicable to executives or people with access to trade secrets. To the common peon its not ILLEGAL to have them sign it, Its just un-enforceable as no court will recognize its authority.

#6 Damien Baldino on 03.10.10 at 11:25 am

I know that employers can make you sign those types of contracts, but I’m not sure about the length of time. Two years seems to be a long time.

#7 John C on 03.10.10 at 12:09 pm

Use to be they could, but here in CA I know there was a lawsuit recently where someone fought that and won. I think it’s illegal in CA now.

#8 www.sunset-publications.com on 03.10.10 at 12:16 pm

Yes but if you are already an employee you have the right to not sign it.

#9 HUMAN TRIPOD on 03.10.10 at 12:19 pm

yes it is a non compete contract that states you cannot work for a competitor within so many miles from where you work now
this is very common but hard to enforce because they can not stop you from making a living

#10 Pfo on 03.10.10 at 1:13 pm

Yes.

PS – Don’t use Yahoo Answers for your tests, some teachers are smart enough to use programs to check multiple sources and see if you are cheating.

#11 Jimmy Glasses on 03.10.10 at 2:11 pm

yes, and it does sound very un-american

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