Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site sdcsvax.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxl!houxm!houxz!vax135!floyd!harpo!decvax!ittvax!dcdwest!sdcsvax!bob From: bob@sdcsvax.UUCP Newsgroups: net.legal,net.jobs Subject: Re: Employment Contract Message-ID: <862@sdcsvax.UUCP> Date: Sun, 3-Jun-84 13:07:42 EDT Article-I.D.: sdcsvax.862 Posted: Sun Jun 3 13:07:42 1984 Date-Received: Wed, 6-Jun-84 04:20:26 EDT References: <334@ut-sally.UUCP> Organization: EECS Dept. U.C. San Diego Lines: 25 I'm not a lawyer but... You implied that you've been asked to sign the noncompetition agreement for a job YOU'RE ALREADY HOLDING. If so, or if you agreed to take the position before they told you about this agreement, I think you've got a great negotiating position. You can't sign away something of value without a "consideration" (value in return). For example, if they run your photo in the company newspaper, they need a release (and have to pay you >= $1). Agreeing to not fire you on the spot isn't a consideration. The cost of the agreement to you is something like one year's wages when you leave (unless you change your line of business). So, demand that they include in your agreement that you are entitled to one year's salary (at your highest pay rate) upon termination of employment FOR WHATEVER REASON. You can also negotiate on benefits during the following year, if you like. Most probably, the company isn't willing to pay that price, and will not bring up the contract again. Just the same, you should find a new job ASAP (they'll probably fire you for a random reason, which is probably illegal). If the company does agree, get yourself a copy of the contract, signed by an officer, and quit immediately. Let the net know what happens!