Re: \"No Compete Agreement\" - Am I being unreasonable?
 

A good reason to terminate someone is because they think they are indispensible. Few are, many believe they are.

Good luck in your new position.

Re: \"No Compete Agreement\" - Am I being unreasonable?
 

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I am worth about 11k. I have no job.

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Which is why you are dumb enough to sign that piece of paper.

Re: \"No Compete Agreement\" - Am I being unreasonable?
 

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In some states, no compete agreements don't hold up in court, as they effectively prevent somebody from making a living. If you do sign it, you should get something (i.e. $) in return. But I guess, from your post, that $ are in short supply. Certainly show it to your attorney and get her advice.

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That's what I was going to say.

Practically speaking though, a good move is to stall... act busy when they come by with something to sign, say something about looking it over and have to get back to work, set it on desk, don't sign, but don't make a snap decision either. I mean, don't tell him you won't sign it, just don't sign it. Or bargain for higher pay, more vacation time, stock, whatever...

And, even in the states where non-compete contracts are legal, they can't be unreasonable and 2 years argued by the right lawyer is unreasonable IMHO.

Re: \"No Compete Agreement\" - Am I being unreasonable?
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I am worth about 11k. I have no job.

[/ QUOTE ]

Which is why you are dumb enough to sign that piece of paper.

[/ QUOTE ]

At least im not a bad person.

Re: \"No Compete Agreement\" - Am I being unreasonable?
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
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I am worth about 11k. I have no job.

[/ QUOTE ]

Which is why you are dumb enough to sign that piece of paper.

[/ QUOTE ]

At least im not a bad person.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's true. Have you let your girlfriend bang any other guys recently? That was really nice of you last time.

Re: \"No Compete Agreement\" - Am I being unreasonable?
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I am worth about 11k. I have no job.

[/ QUOTE ]

Which is why you are dumb enough to sign that piece of paper.

[/ QUOTE ]

At least im not a bad person.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's true. Have you let your girlfriend bang any other guys recently? That was really nice of you last time.

[/ QUOTE ]

not knowingly no.

Re: \"No Compete Agreement\" - Am I being unreasonable?
 

James, Andy:

Florida is a "right to work" state, so it's likely that any attempts to stop me from being in the same business will be defeated in court... however, not having to go to court at all is clearly far superior to winning in court.

stabn:

You are correct. I don't feel "lucky" to have my job in the sense that I'm afraid I can't do as good or better elsewhere. My income has been impressive for the average individual my age (I'm turning 24 next month) and I have more than enough saved up to patiently seek other employment. Essentially, he can't play the "sign it or you're fired" card, nor the "where else are you going to get a job this good?" card.

Jimbo:

I figured someone would mention that... and that's OK, because it's mostly true. You can't know for sure without actually working there, but I assure you I am. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] He got me pissed off one day and I flat out asked him "Do you even know what my job is?" He didn't.

The bottom line is, I have absolutely nothing to gain by signing the document, even if I have no intention of starting a competing business. It's not feasible for him to terminate me for not signing it, and if he does anyway, I have the skills and experience to do better elsewhere.

That, and I imagine I will take perverse pleasure in watching him try persuade my air-tight closed-minded ass to see it his way. Should be fun.

Re: \"No Compete Agreement\" - Am I being unreasonable?
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
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I am worth about 11k. I have no job.

[/ QUOTE ]

Which is why you are dumb enough to sign that piece of paper.

[/ QUOTE ]

At least im not a bad person.

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[b]Hey look at me! I'm a thread hijacker!

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FYP [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Re: \"No Compete Agreement\" - Am I being unreasonable?
 

In California these are almost completely non-enforcable, except in ownership situations or when protecting trade secrets.

That said, they sound like real treats, these people. Go work with the people who left.

Do these people have an attorney? Want to be a pain in the ass? They're probably not active enough to have the attorney on retainer, so tell them you want your attorney to talk to theirs. Have a friend pose as your attorney. Every time your friend talks to their attorney or, better, exchanges letters, it will cost them money.

Re: \"No Compete Agreement\" - Am I being unreasonable?
 

im not an attorney but in texas i know these are only enforceable in this state if you are given something in return for signing the document (stock in the company for instance).

i wonder if them holding your job over your head would be grounds for a lawsuit. wouldnt be surprised. hmmm interesting idea to turn the conversation around.

bwana