California Non-Solicitation Agreements: Understanding the Basics
Non-solicitation agreements are commonly used by employers to prevent their former employees from soliciting their clients, customers, or employees upon termination of employment. These agreements may also prohibit former employees from working for competitors or engaging in similar professions for a certain period of time. However, such agreements must comply with California law, which places significant limitations on their enforceability.
What Is a Non-Solicitation Agreement?
A non-solicitation agreement is a contract between an employer and an employee that restricts the employee’s ability to solicit the employer’s clients, customers, or employees after leaving the company. These agreements are intended to protect the employer’s legitimate business interests by preventing the former employee from using the employer’s confidential information or trade secrets to compete against the employer.
What Are California’s Restrictions on Non-Solicitation Agreements?
While California generally allows non-compete agreements in limited circumstances, non-solicitation agreements are subject to strict requirements under California law. Specifically, California Business and Professions Code Section 16600 prohibits any contract that restrains an individual from engaging in a lawful profession, trade, or business of any kind.
This means that non-solicitation agreements in California are generally unenforceable if they restrict an employee’s ability to work in their chosen profession or industry. However, non-solicitation agreements may be enforceable if they are narrowly tailored to protect an employer’s trade secrets or confidential information and do not prevent an employee from pursuing their chosen profession.
What Are the Requirements for Enforceable Non-Solicitation Agreements in California?
To be enforceable in California, non-solicitation agreements must meet the following requirements:
1. The agreement must be narrowly tailored to protect the employer’s trade secrets or confidential information.
2. The agreement cannot prevent the employee from pursuing their chosen profession.
3. The agreement must be supported by adequate consideration, which means that the employee must receive a benefit in exchange for signing the agreement.
4. The agreement must not be against public policy.
Conclusion
In sum, non-solicitation agreements are commonly used by employers to protect their legitimate business interests, but they must comply with California law to be enforceable. Employers should work closely with their legal counsel to ensure that their non-solicitation agreements meet the requirements of California law and are enforceable. Employees, on the other hand, should carefully review any non-solicitation agreements and understand their rights before signing.