Non-compete Clauses: If it’s in small print and you have to sign it, read it – please

Sunday’s (4/29/07) Oregonian had a good story by Brent Hunsberger on noncompetitive agreements, “You can’t take that job,” and how they aren’t just for executives and knowledge workers:

” Last week, less than a month into new jobs, Sean Mesarich and Scott Beeson received a call that threw them for a loop.

Their former employer was threatening to sue both for violating a noncompete agreement.

Neither recalls signing the one-page pledge. And neither is an executive, doctor or salesman, careers in which the agreements are more of the norm.”