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4 Replies Last post : Dec 7, 2009 3:50 PM byEmily Ross-Brown   Branched from an earlier question .
Thomas Smith
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Thomas Smith
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When employees exit a company is it best to have them sign a non-compete?

Creation Date : Nov 29, 2009 6:24 AM | Modification Date : Dec 1, 2009 4:15 PM

I would like to know how I can protect my "company secrets" from former employees leaving and going to my competition?

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Patrick Warneka
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Jul 31, 2009
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Dec 2, 2009 10:21 AM in response to: Thomas Smith
Re: When employees exit a company is it best to have them sign a non-compete?

Thomas,

 

Wouldn't it be easier to have them all sign one when they start work?   Bringing it up AFTER an employee has decided to leave  could be a tough sell.

 

For future situations,  come Jan 1st 2010  send out a  non-complete letter to all employees to sign.  keep it on file.

 

P

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Thomas Smith
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Dec 2, 2009 4:04 PM in response to: Patrick Warneka
Re: When employees exit a company is it best to have them sign a non-compete?

Thats really what I meant. I didn't have one in place and now I am losing an employee that was with me while I launched a new product. A competitor has "stole" him and I have nothing to keep him from going there. What time frame would anyone suggest? Two years? One Year?

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Emily Ross-Brown
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Dec 3, 2009 9:35 AM in response to: Thomas Smith
Re: When employees exit a company is it best to have them sign a non-compete?

Hello Thomas,

 

Welcome to Bizmore!

 

I found a lot of information on Wikipedia about "non-compete agreements" the verbiage can and does vary from State to State and international!  I have to agree with Patrick, that you might run into difficulties getting your already leaving employee to sign one, but hope I'm wrong! 

 

I hope you will get some more help from others that have been in your situation!

 

All the best, and please let me know how you get on.

 

Emily

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Emily Ross-Brown
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Dec 7, 2009 3:50 PM in response to: Thomas Smith
Re: When employees exit a company is it best to have them sign a non-compete?

http://features.bizmore.com/blog/must-read/the-skinny-on-confidentiality-agreements-and-non-competes

 

Thomas - hello again!

 

I've been thinking over your recent post and this blog may come too late - but wanted to let you know about it anyway!

 

All the best,

 

Emily

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