Tim,

Others have commented on the legality of the contract your employer wants you
to sign.

I have signed such an agreement once (needed the job!). After I left, the
employer made no effort to restrain me from obtaining a similar position.
However, the guy I worked with did. I suppose it depends on the mood of the
company and the circumstances of departure. I do not believe I would sign
another, though.

What sticks in my craw is how a company could have the gall to present
something like this to (I assume) a valued employee. In today's job market,
employers should focus on keeping workers, not alienating them. Ask them if
they are willing to guarantee your employement for the next two years.

Two years of non-compete is laughable. If they insist upon your signature
without striking the offending clause, either do what Neil Harvey suggests
(compensation for restraint of trade) or lose 'em.

Pat Shugart
Oaksoft Consulting, Inc.
(540) 882-3749

=========

Tim Ericson <[log in to unmask]> wrote....

/snip/

The one clause I am having a major problem with is the one that
says I won't work for any competitor, or anyone that has any
interest in any competitor, or anyone with any ties with any
competitor in any way for a period of 2 years after ending
employment with the company (and so far I have not signed this
contract because of this clause.)

/snip/