How a Legal Journalist Got Fired for a Non-Compete

Re:How a Legal Journalist Got Fired for a Non-Compete by MatthewWilkes on Monday February 08, 2016 @12:32PM (#11059472)

The "just a formality" line really bugs me. I once contracted for a place that asked me to indemnify them against all fines or taxes due against them in relation to my contract with them. So, I asked them to amend it to include language that excluded cases where they are informed that they are breaking the law, where they agree to a settlement with a third party, where they refuse to defend an action, where they fail to notify me immediately after an accusation is made, etc. They refused, saying it's just a formality.

I can understand why their lawyers were keen on having people sign it, as they were so clearly abusing their relationships with contractors, but I don't understand why so many of my colleagues did.

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Re:How a Legal Journalist Got Fired for a Non-Compete by mikeash on Monday February 08, 2016 @12:58PM (#11059680)

"If you don't intend to enforce it then you don't need me to sign it."

Sometimes this works and sometimes they'll insist anyway. In the latter case, you can run away knowing you dodged a bullet.

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Re:How a Legal Journalist Got Fired for a Non-Compete by twohlix_ on Monday February 08, 2016 @02:15PM (#11060251)

I was told a clause was unenforceable, and used the reasoning "So we can remove it from the contract?" and they wanted me to work with them so they took it out.

My usual approach with NCs is to reign in the scope of them. I've had some that could be interpreted I couldn't write any software for anyone else for up to a year.

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Re:How a Legal Journalist Got Fired for a Non-Compete by kafkaesq on Monday February 08, 2016 @02:20PM (#11060272)

Companies have a way of shitting their pants, and walking away from the employment offer if you question even a line or two of the "formalities" they expect you to unblinkingly sign.

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Re:How a Legal Journalist Got Fired for a Non-Compete by kevin_thibedeau on Monday February 08, 2016 @07:39PM (#11062143)

I would consider that a bullet dodged.

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Re:How a Legal Journalist Got Fired for a Non-Compete by kafkaesq on Tuesday February 09, 2016 @02:10PM (#11067842)

True but it grinds the gears nonetheless (especially when considerable time has been invested, and you were actually kind of interested in what they were doing).

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