Can I be fired for not signing a non-compete clause?
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Can I be fired for not signing a non-compete clause?
I am just a warehouse worker; I pack orders. They gave everybody in the warehouse the contract and said that if it wasn’t signed then they would be terminated.
Asked on June 16, 2012 under Employment Labor Law, Nevada
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
Actually, you can be discharged for this if you are an "at will"employee. This means that you don't have a union contract or employment agreement protecting you in such a situation. You would also be afforded protection if making you sign in some way constitutes actionable discriminaion or violates existing company policy; since you mentioned neither as possibilities I will assume that they do not apply to your case.
However, if you do sign, be aware that while non-compete agreements are generally enforceable, if they are challenged in court and they are too broad in either geographic scope or too long in time, a court may reduce it to more reasonable terms.
So, if it menas your job, you may want to consider signing it.
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