If you have ever started a new job in Los Angeles, you may have been asked to sign an employment agreement. You may have signed the agreement without closely analyzing its terms out of excitement about the job or out of fear that the job offer will be retracted if you don’t sign it. However, it’s important that any employee always carefully read an employment agreement before beginning work in order to minimize issues that could arise later.
One of the most standard employment agreements that employees are asked to sign is a non-compete agreement. Non-compete agreements require employees to not become employed by a rival company for a set amount of time after the employee’s job ends. They also often provide that the employee cannot set up a competing business. Non-competes are normally limited to a certain geographic area and a certain period of time. They are often not enforceable in California.
Employment contracts may also contain termination clauses, which provide under what conditions an employee can be fired. It may list the amount of notice an employer is required to give an employee. Confidentiality clauses are also standard clauses in employment contracts. They require that employees not share information about the employer’s business. They often last even after the employee stops working in the position, and allow the company to sue the employee if the employee shares secrets in violation of the contract.
If you have an employment contract in place and you believe it has been violated, you should consult with an employment attorney. If you’re in Los Angeles, call me, Conal Doyle, Los Angeles employment attorney at 310-385-0567. I can help. Call today to learn more or to schedule a free consultation.