On April 23, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission issued its long-awaited Final Non-Compete Clause Rule, which operates to ban most post-employment non-compete agreements between employers and their workers.
On April 23, 2024, the FTC passed a final rule to ban most non-compete clauses in employment agreements, finding such agreements to be unfair methods of competition (the “FTC Rule”). The FTC Rule was slated to have an effective date of September 4, 2024.
Summary: This bill would prohibit employers from entering into non-compete agreements with employees, and it would rescind any non-compete agreements that predate the effective date of this bill. Employers would be subject to a $500 civil penalty for each violation of this bill. Ver.
New York courts will only enforce them in only very rare limited situations. As explained more below, we are able to defeat most non-compete agreements by using the Legitimate Business Interests Test. A court will only enforce a non-compete agreement if the company can satisfy this test and most companies cannot do so.
Most New York courts will not enforce a non-compete agreement if the restriction is for over a year. For example, courts will generally find this time frame too long if the agreement attempts to restrict an employee for two years or more.
In New York, courts largely disfavor non-compete agreements and enforce them only when necessary. They consider four factors when determining whether to enforce an agreement: If the agreement protects legitimate business interests, e.g. trade secrets or special skills acquired during employment.
Takeaways. On December 23, 2023, Gov. Kathy Hochul vetoed the New York State Legislature's proposed ban on all new non-compete agreements. Despite the veto, Governor Hochul has left open the possibility of a statewide restriction on non-compete agreements for lower-wage workers.
Several factors can void or limit the enforceability of a non-compete agreement, including overly broad restrictions, unreasonable time frames or geographical limits, lack of consideration (such as compensation or job opportunities provided in exchange for the agreement), and violation of public policy.
compete is only allowed and enforceable to the extent it (1) is necessary to protect the employer's legitimate interests, (2) does not impose an undue hardship on the employee, (3) does not harm the public, and (4) is reasonable in time period and geographic scope.
5 Ways to Defeat a New York Non-Compete Agreement Fired Without Cause. If your employer is not willing to employ you, courts generally will not enforce a non-compete agreement. The Legitimate Business Interests Test. Unclean Hands – Breach of Contract by Employer. The Janitor Rule. There Is No Competition.