Q: Question about non-competes...
I work as the sole IT person for a construction company in Tampa FL. When I started they made me sign a non-compete, which at the time I didn't really understand as it was my first "professional" job. I am now entertaining a job offer from a software vendor that provides various software packages to many Architectural, engineering and construction firms, including some of my current companies competitors. Would accepting that position violate my non-compete?
A: You can't invalidate a non-compete agreement based on your lacking of full understanding of what it is. In the absence of intentional representation on their side and other unfair dealings, you have to honor it. However, your hope is that the new job position does not constitute "competition" as defined in the agreement. You may ask an attorney to review the agreement for you to know for sure.
Bruce Alexander Minnick agrees with this answer
A: Whether you are going to get hammered cannot be foretold because there are several dispositive facts omitted from your question , all of which could be answered if I had a copy of the agreement.
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