When hiring employees in Pennsylvania, you have to have them fill out a lot of paperwork. You need to make sure you handle all the documents the government wants. You may also have some documents of your own, such as an employee handbook agreement or a non-compete agreement. When putting any type of agreement in place, it is important to make sure that you really need it, especially when it comes to a non-compete agreement.
Forbes explains a non-compete agreement is a way to protect your business secrets. You can restrict where employees may work while working for you and even after working for you. It is paramount that when creating such a document that you ensure you can enforce it under the law. Otherwise, it is a useless piece of paper. Furthermore, you need to make sure that you need this type of agreement.
If you do not have any proprietary information that you need to protect, then a non-compete agreement does not really serve a purpose. Information you may want to protect includes trade secrets, marketing strategies and business processes.
When it comes to enforcing such an agreement, be aware that the law often sides with the employee. You put a limit on his or her ability to work and earn a living, so the state does not take that lightly. You must prove there is a reason for this restriction. Every state varies in its treatment of these agreements, but in Pennsylvania there are specific guidelines you must follow when drafting a non-compete agreement, so make sure you follow them. This information is for education and is not legal advice.
