A noncompete agreement would essentially block a contractor from landing another side job, even if you don't intend to hire them as an employee. As a general rule, non-compete agreements are not permitted under California law.California law explicitly voids all non-compete agreements for employees and independent contractors. These agreements are simply not enforceable. A "non-compete" agreement is an agreement not to do business in the same field as your employer. The rule, as passed, prohibits companies from entering into any new noncompete agreements that are not part of a bona fide sale of a business. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the enforceability of non-compete agreements against independent contractors in California. It applies to any contract. It applies to independent contractors. The California state legislature recently passed AB 5, which defines who is an independent contractor and who is an employee under California law.