Ten years ago very few people were asked to sign contracts that included non compete, non solicitation and confidentiality provisions. Today, that practice seems commonplace. And in today’s economy, we see people nearly every week who, after leaving a job on their own or by firing, receive a letter from their former employer threatening a lawsuit and/or demanding that the person either inform the new employer about the restrictive covenants, quit or stop working in their chosen field.
What to do if you get a letter like this?
First, take a deep breath. It is not the end of the world. Many restrictive covenants are written in such a way that they are so overly broad or unreasonable that they are not enforceable. Courts do not want you unemployed and so will take a very hard look at these agreements before putting you out of a job.
Second, look through your files and locate a copy of the agreement you signed. If you can’t find it, then politely ask your former employer to provide a copy of it to you.
Lastly, contact a lawyer who, like us, handles this type of work BEFORE you respond to your former employer or tell your current employer about the situation. I say this because it is important that you know whether there is any validity to the allegations made in the cease and desist letter and what your potential recourse is before you begin to tell other people about it or respond to the allegations.
The employment lawyers at Alan Lescht and Associates, P.C., provide advice and representation in matters involving non compete, non solicitation and confidentiality.
