[Conversation starts 6.5 minutes into the episode]
Let me preface this by saying, I understand why noncompete agreements exist in the work place. As a former software sales rep, I am intimately aware that I was given access to information that other companies would absolutely love to get their hands on for a competitive edge. The only way to keep that from happening, is to enter an agreement upon which continuing to work in a particular field, in a particular region becomes a hectic process.
What I don’t understand is this: How did a process for protecting proprietary information become an industry standard, regardless of industry, in this country?
Not every job, and realistically most jobs, do not require intense information or skills to perform. Not to say the jobs are easy, but that the systems and info are very easily replicable.
By skewing too far in the other direction, we have created a number of industries that do not allow for negotiations, occupational improvement, raises, or increasing work standards.
“Don’t like it? Tough! Go start your career over in another industry if you don’t like it!”
This strawman I created is, in essence, what people across this country deal with in one way or another.
Until recently, that is.
One of the few bright spots in the current Presidential administration has been the effort to increase a worker’s agency when they find themselves in less than ideal working conditions. Cracking down on monopolies, enforcing anti-trust, and holding business owners accountable when they cut corners have all been fantastic developments over the last 4 years.
More so than any of these examples though, has been the elimination of noncompete agreements. This gives employees the ability to find the best situation for them within an industry of expertise, and it’s on the company to create an environment that people want to continue to work in.
Recently though, this announcement has been facing legal scrutiny from a number of judges around the country, which I have covered extensively on my show. Several listeners have weighed in suggesting noncompete agreements aren’t a big deal, they aren’t enforceable, they don’t have any real life implications.
Unfortunately, nothing could be further from the truth, and I happen to work along side some people here at Woodward that have only just recently escaped the harsh realities of finding work with a noncompete.
You can here Otis, Nick, and Katie on 95.9 Kiss every Monday-Friday morning 5-9a telling hilarious stories and playing some of the biggest songs of the day.
Were it not for noncompete agreements, you could have heard them well before this summer.
They agreed to come on my show and answer some questions about what this experience has been like, and how they were personally impacted by these rules.
Click the player up above to listen to our conversation, and the rest of today’s episode of “Outside the Box”.
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