Non-compete agreements are subject to very strict guidelines to be enforceable. Contact the experienced attorneys at the Katz Law Group for help.The law also voids noncompete covenants where the employer terminates the employee without cause or includes them in a layoff. In most cases, non-compete agreements are considered legally binding and can be enforced when an employee departs from the company. "A covenant not to compete contained in a contract for personal services will be enforced if it is reasonable, based on all the circumstances.". A typical non-compete clause in a New York employment agreement looks like. Here is some relatively common language that I've adapted from some of the cases. Learn about the latest regulations on non-competes and find sample clauses. Whereas a patent awards the holder a monopoly on a certain product, a non-compete clause grants your employer a temporary monopoly on you. The FTC claims that noncompete clauses are an 'unfair method of competition.