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California Lawsuit Wants To Weaken Noncompetes (axios.com)
An anonymous reader shares a report: California already prohibits companies from enforcing noncompetes within the state, but a Bay Area life sciences company is asking a state court to go even further. Veeva Systems is suing three of its East Coast-based competitors and asking a California Superior Court judge to declare that it has the right to hire employees who have signed such agreements. Veeva also wants a court to limit the use of non-disparagement and confidentiality agreements. "Non-compete agreements are bad," the company said in its suit. "These agreements limit employment opportunities. They suppress wages. They keep employees trapped in jobs they do not want, and they keep employees from fairly competing with their former employers. These agreements restrict fair and robust competition for employees."
I signed an employment contract with an East Coast sub-contractor that was drawn up by a New York City attorney who had no clue about CA labor laws. In particular, a $500 per day fine if I don't give a proper two-week notice ($5,000 max) that wasn't kosher in CA. When a push came to a shove, I told the sub-contractor to run the contract by a CA labor attorney. The contracting agency that hired the sub-contractor bought out my contract to avoid legal hassles. I then got a proper employment contract and a higher pay rate for my troubles.
Why you stupid ass. Have you ever heard of "contract law"? It's one of the biggest areas of the law. Probably half the laws on the books are what's legal in a contract and what's not.
You are welcome on my lawn.