What Is A Covenant Not To Compete In California?
Generally, a covenant not to compete is when a California employee agrees not to work for an employer's competitors when the employee leaves the company. Covenants not to compete are also known as "non-compete clauses". An employee who signs them either does so as a condition to employment or they may receive compensation for the agreement.
When are Covenants not to Compete Unenforceable?
It is difficult to foresee whether a judge will enforce a given non-compete agreement. Even though the interests of an employer are important, California courts value a person's freedom to select the type of employment that they desire. Thus, courts will typically uphold only those covenants not to compete that they conclude to be reasonable. Those provisions that courts have seen to be unreasonable include those that last for an prolonged period of time or cover geographic areas around Redding that are unreasonably large.
Non-compete clauses are also limited in that they can only apply to competitors who are reasonably related to the industry of the employer. Lastly, the employer needs to have an acceptable business interest which justifies their motives in requiring their employee to sign a covenant not to compete.
Do I Need an Attorney when Dealing with a Covenant not to Compete?
Before signing anything that may restrict your rights, you may want to hire a Redding, California attorney to review the contract. A lawyer can then negotiate to modify the covenant as needed, or may even draft a new one that is acceptable to both parties A lawyer can also render useful advice for employers who are considering suing an employee for breach of covenant, or they can counsel employees who have signed such an agreement.
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Life in Redding
Redding, California is located in Shasta County, where it serves as the county seat. It is California's larges city to the north of Sacramento and has a population of over 89,000 people. The city is mostly known for its natural environment preserves and for its close location to the Sacramento River. Redding, California is nicknamed "the Jewel of Northern California".Residents and visitors to Redding California can enjoy many opportunities for outdoor recreation and activities. Popular areas to visit in Redding and the surrounding areas include Lake Shasta, Lassen Volcanic National Park, and Turtle Bay Exploration Park. The Exploration Park houses a botanical garden, a nature educational camp, and a natural history museum. The Redding Arboretum is also part of the park. The Exploration Park exemplifies Redding's commitment to preserving plant and animal wildlife.
Other places of interest in Redding, California include Cascade Theater, and the Redding Convention Center, which holds shows and concert productions throughout the year. The city also hosts the festive "MarketFest" event every summer. Major employers in Redding include Mercy Medical Center and Shasta College.
Lawyers in Redding, California provide the community with legal assistance in a variety of different fields. Redding lawyers often represent their clients at the Redding branch of the Superior Court of California, County of Shasta. Lawyers in Redding have experience in dealing with the laws and legal issues that are unique to the local area.
