Brian Kraut wrote:
>
> I had to sign a similar agreement after working for my company for two years.
 I
> sell shipboard electronics and that is a pretty narrow field that I have worke
d
> hard at to make a name for myself.  I could work in another field, but I have
> been doing this since I graduated with a degree in another field and it would
> take a few years after a career change to get back to the position I am in now
.
> I was understandably upset about signing an agreement that would essentially
> cause me to have to change fields if I ever left my job for any reason.

Nowadays it is very hard to enforce these anti-competition
clauses. If your employer forces you into a set of niche
skills, he cannot prevent you from using these skills.

If your only option on termination of employment is a job
with a competitor, chances are you will get away with it.

The only time you won't get away with it, is if you open up
a competing business 'across the road'. Another potential
for a cock-up are the intellectual property clauses. These are
usually as clear as mud. if you work for a competitor, it may
be necessary to prove 'clean room' development if your old
employer sues the shit out of you. That can be real messy.

--
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