Florida Non-Compete?

Question

I was hired as a recruiter for a company that specializes in temporary travel assignments for Allied Health Professionals. They hired me because I knew alot about pharmacy recruiting and they wanted to start recruiting pharmacists for temporary assignments. They had me sign a non-compete in order to start working there. I started working there and absolutely hated it after 3 months. So I decided to take my knowledge of pharmacy(that I had prior to joining the company) and start my own permanent placement company. So now my former company is trying to enforce this non compete and saying that I am not to work at all in the healthcare recruiting industry anywhere in the united states for 1 year. While working for them I had no contact or relationships with any of their clients, my job was to only find travelers for open temporary jobs we had. Is this non compete reasonable and enforceable?

Answer 1

You signed it and they can and will enforce it.  You could go to court and fight it but the expense will be a big burden. Not fair but not much in life is

Answer 2

I had to sign one of those for every employer I ever worked for. A non-compete is a legal binding contract that is enforceable even if it isn't reasonable. If you have your own copy of the non-compete, look to see if it specifically says "anywhere in the united states". If it does not, then that part is not enforceable, as far as I know. I'm in Texas, so I don't know what Florida's laws are in regards to non-compete agreements. On that note...I would highly recommend speaking with an employment attorney about this. They know the laws and what your ex-employer can and can't enforce in regards to a non-compete.

Answer 3

Most "non-compete" clauses are worth less than the paper they are written on.  What if the ONLY work you could get "violated" terms of the non-compete? Would you then have a legal obligation to starve to death?  No reasonable Court will let it stand unless you are stealing their customers...

Answer 4

NOPE not reasonable and Not enforceable

Hard to believe thy have such a noncompete, as no attorney would draw it up

Must be reasonable restrictions. . .probably could limit your activity in FLA or your region of FLA but not in whole US, prevents your ability to earn a living

Seek legal help. . . .many attorneys will give initial consultation at reasonable rates (some are free for 10 minutes)