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Thanks for posting. I didn't think that actually ever happened at the peon level.
I can't help but think that so-called non-compete agreements should be illegal since they confer no benefit on the employee and put him at a disadvantage should he find himself needing to find new work. In contrast, I could see an agreement by which an employee would promise not to share trade secrets and other valuable company information with competitors. Even a "non-compete if you leave the company voluntarily" makes some sense. But a "non-compete even if we let you go"? That is entirely one-sided and a glaring red flag. What I'd really like to do if I am ever presented with a "non-compete even if we let you go" is to offer a reciprocating agreement by which the employer promises not to hire anyone else with my skills, for a period of five years, should I be made to leave my employment involuntarily through no fault of my own or leave of my own accord for a position with a competitor offering a salary for my same position that is no more than 10% more than my current salary.
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+lporrello=illumina -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+lporrello=illumina -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf Of Bill Swallow
Sent: Tuesday, February 28, 2012 9:23 AM
To: Wanda Phillips
Cc: philstokes03 -at- gmail -dot- com; techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: Re: Employment....
Sometimes a good idea, sometimes very bad. If you signed a non-compete and have transferable skills, and if your former employer is feeling rather nasty, they can lawyer up and sue you for breach of agreement.
It happened to a former co-worker of mine years ago. He was a project manager, and went to work for a competitor after being let go. You'd think that a company letting you go means "no longer has valuable skills or knowledge" but the courts ruled in the company's favor. He had to decline the job (his new ex-employer kindly paid the legal fees for him, which I thought was excellent of them to do) and find another in a non-competing space.
On Tue, Feb 28, 2012 at 12:08 PM, Wanda Phillips <wetcoastwriter -at- me -dot- com> wrote:
> LOL, that is a very good idea. Another co-worker chased out by the same manager has gone to work for a competitor and finds their internal culture a shock after our previous, shared employer.
>
> I am concentrating on writing, capturing my technical experience and, in other areas, turning my personal experience into stories for others to enjoy and gasp in shock and horror.
>
> My "secret" has always be tell the truth, the whole truth, as I have experienced it. I am sure it has cost me as many jobs as it has gotten for me. I am pleasant and interesting, and not very secretive or devious. If I had been, I may not have gotten the job in the first place. I won over the hiring team with my confidence and technical reach, and I tipped the team with my casual honesty. A change in the supervisor brought in someone who hadn't chosen me and found much me confrontational rather than open. It was a learning experience; unfortunately, for me, I didn't learn fast enough.
>
> Wanda
> ------------------
> ...in order to understand the true nature of reality, we must realize that nothing ever really happens.
> Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso, Rinpoche, Sun of Wisdom (Shambhala Publications), 3-4.
> ------------------
>
> On 2012-02-28, at 10:34 AM, "philstokes03 -at- gmail -dot- com" <philstokes03 -at- googlemail -dot- com> wrote:
>
>> Have you considered approaching your former employers direct
>> competitors? You could be an attractive hire, depending on the nature
>> of the business ;)
>>
>> Phil
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