Brighton, MA asked in Employment Law and Contracts for Massachusetts

Q: boss is making terminated employees sign an agreement not to apply for competitors. If refuse to sign agree what happen

I may get terminated from my job and my boss is forcing terminated employees to sign agreement to not go work for competitors if I refuse to sign agreement what can I expect

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1 Lawyer Answer
Jonathan R. Roth
Jonathan R. Roth
Answered
  • Salem, MA
  • Licensed in Massachusetts

A: First, while trying to make a non-compete agreement as part of a termination package is clever, I am not sure it is enforceable under MA law. Moreover, unless someone is properly compensated, promotion and raise or a raise, a non-compete agreement is not enforceable if not executed at the time of employment. The issue is whether the agreement includes specific compensation for agreeing not to work for a competitor. Before signing such an agreement I would contact an attorney who handles employment law issues and specifically deals with non-competes.

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