What Is A Covenant Not To Compete In Oklahoma?
Generally speaking, in Oklahoma, a covenant not to compete means that the employee will agree not to work for any of their employer's competitors upon leaving the company. Such agreements are also known by the term "non-compete clauses". Compensation may be paid for employees who sign the covenant, or at times the employment may be conditioned upon such an agreement.
When are Covenants not to Compete Unenforceable?
Knowing in advance whether a judge will enforce an employee's non-compete clause can be difficult. While the employer?s interests are important, Oklahoma courts place great importance on an individual?s freedom to pursue the employment they want. Accordingly, courts have only upheld those agreements that they consider reasonable under the circumstances. Terms contained in a covenant not to compete will be struck down by a court as unreasonable if they bind the employee for an excessively long period of time or if they cover an unreasonably large geographic area around Edmond.
Limitations on non-compete clauses must also be restricted to cover only competitors who are related in a rational way to the employer's industry. 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?
You may want to hire a Edmond, Oklahoma lawyer to review the covenant before signing any agreements that may limit or restrict your rights. The lawyer will then be able to negotiate any modifications to the contract as needed, or they can even draft a new one should it be required by one or both parties. An attorney can also give valuable advice when it comes to suing employees for breaching covenants, or counseling employees who have signed one about whether they can accept a different job.
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Life in Edmond
Edmond is located in Oklahoma County, with a population of around 81,400 people. In 2011, CNBC included Edmond on its "10 Perfect Suburbs" list. In 2007, it was also ranked amongst the "Top 100 Places to Live" by Relocated America.Top employers include the school district, the City of Edmond, Pelco Products, Innovative Healthcare Systems, Remy International, Petra Industries, OU Medical Center, Adfitech, and the University of Central Oklahoma. The legal industry also has a strong presence in Edmond because many resident attorneys practice law in various areas. Therefore, residents and local businesses have no problems when needing legal guidance.
For all the nature-lovers, Edmond is home to some wonderful parks to visit. These parks include Brookhaven Park, Centennial Park, Chitwood Park, Dog Park, Fink Park, Gossett Park, Kelly Park, Ted Anderson Park, and Whispering Heights Park.
Some famous residents include Jim Beaver, Bob Ricks, Reggie Smith, Gil Morgan, Shannon Miller, Blake Griffin, Greyson Chance and Ekpe Udoh.
