The final rule, first proposed on January 19, 2023, categorizes noncompete clauses as an unfair method of competition, thus violating section 5 of the FTC Act. In California, noncompete agreements in the employment context are generally void (Cal. Bus.In California, agreements that restrict employees from joining a competitor or starting a competing business are, as a general rule, illegal and unenforceable. SB 699 declares it a civil violation for an employer to enter into or attempt to enforce a contract that is void under California law. This alert discusses recent developments in California laws governing noncompetes. Before you sign an employment agreement, especially one with a non-compete agreement, you should discuss it with an employment attorney. Non-Compete Agreements - San Bernardino and Riverside, CA Employment Discrimination Lawyer. The Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper that began publishing in Los Angeles, California, in 1881.