I know this is off topic, but I thought, since a number of the people on this
list are employed as engineers, we would benefit from this discussion.

Here's the situation.  After 8 years at my current employer, my boss throws
this non-compete/non-disclosure agreement in front of me.  Needless to say,
it was written to totally protect him, with very little (if any ) concern for
my welfare.

Now I have to re-write it to protect myself before signing it.  I understand
his desire to protect his investment, but it seems that bosses have a hard
time understanding that we as engineers also have an investment in the years
spent working for our employers.  No matter what anyone says, Engineers who
are employees do not think or behave like "normal" employees.  They have a
much more personal interest in and professional stake in what they do.

The history of the company is that it is a small company with a dozen
employees who make custom sub-assemblies for our customers.  We do not
restrict ourselves to any industry or field.  We will design and build
anything for anybody.  Needless to say, to agree to not compete against this
type of company , precludes you from working in any of the industries of any
of the current customers.  This can get quite broad and therefore quite
limiting for an engineer.

Does anyone have any advise on how I can protect myself? Has anyone here had
to sign similiar agreements. Is there a source of sample contracts that are
more balanced, or favor the engineer?

Looking forward to the discussion

Peter