Re:Ask HN: What was your “Fuck this shit I'm out” moment?
by donatj on Saturday October 17, 2020 @08:01PM
(#24814482)
Minnesota.
I had no interest in fighting it though, I wasn't even angry about it, it was just unexpected.
I had agreed to it. I had read my contract, I had understood it when I read it, I had signed it. Even if I could weasel my way out of it, that would feel immoral to me. You're not being bullied for being asked to do something you already agreed to.
Beyond that, I didn't have any interest in burning bridges on my way out. I'm still friends with many of these people to this day.
So many legal questions come to mind when reading that. Where were you working (what location)? Was it a right-to-work state? Did the contract specify a consequence for breaking that clause? Would they have had any case at all if they chose to file a suit to enforce it, or seek damages? And would they have wanted to bother?
I ask because one area where smart successful people still let themselves get bullied is when it comes to contracts. Contracts are legal documents, but they are not law - they are documentation of an agreement that might get the courts to back them. I'm not recommending just breaking contracts all the time, but there is definitely nuance to consider whenever a contract is at odds with your needs.