Are employers allowed to require employees to sign a non-compete agreement?

In Washington, employers are allowed to require employees to sign non-compete agreements. Such agreements are subject to certain restrictions and requirements in order to be enforceable. To be enforceable, the non-compete agreement must be: (1) reasonable in time and geographic scope, (2) related to a legitimate business interest, such as protecting trade secrets or confidential information, and (3) not against public policy. If the agreement meets these criteria, it is generally enforceable in Washington, with some exceptions. For example, a non-compete agreement with a person earning minimum wage or less may be unenforceable. In addition, any agreement that is entered into after the start of employment can only be enforced if the employer provides additional consideration to the employee, such as a raise or bonus. It is important to remember that any non-compete agreement should be specific and tailored to the needs of the employer so that it is enforceable. An agreement that is too broad or ambiguous could be unenforceable in a court of law. Therefore, employers should consult with an attorney to ensure that their agreement meets the criteria for enforceability in Washington.

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Are employers allowed to require employees to sign a non-compete agreement?

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