Non-Compete Agreements in North Carolina
North Carolina Business Attorneys Assist With Non-Compete Agreements
Non-Compete Agreement Law Firm Protects the Rights of Clients
Non-compete agreements are helpful for an employer trying to avoid the loss of key talent to a competitor, protect trade knowledge, and preserve valuable customer accounts. But employees often perceive non-compete agreements as an impediment to the ability to move to another job and a hardship if the agreement limits their job possibilities after they leave their employment.
Non-Compete Agreements in North Carolina
In North Carolina, non-compete agreements are enforceable, but they are not generally favored. When challenged in court, they are often viewed with some scrutiny. When analyzing the enforceability of a non-compete agreement, North Carolina courts use an approach intended to balance the interests of the employer and the employee, and such an agreement will only be enforceable when the restrictions on an employee’s future employability is no wider in scope than necessary to protect the interests of the employer.
To be enforceable in North Carolina, a non-compete agreement must be:
- In writing
- Reasonable regarding time and territory
- Included as part of the employment contract
- Based on valuable consideration
- Designed to protect the employer’s legitimate business interests
What Does a Non-Compete Agreement Look Like?
A typical non-compete agreement in North Carolina consists of a few paragraphs in an employment contract, stating that the employee, for a specific period of time after leaving his employment, agrees not to engage in certain jobs in a particular geographic area or for the employer’s competitors.
North Carolina has no precise definition of the acceptable time and territory restrictions that are allowable in a non-compete agreement, requiring only that they be reasonable.
Contact Our North Carolina Non-Compete Agreement Law Firm Today
Do you need help crafting an enforceable non-compete agreement in Wilmington, Sanford, Laurinburg, or Burlington, North Carolina? The experienced non-compete agreement attorneys at Law Offices of Robert Crawford are dedicated to protecting your business interests. Contact our firm online or call 919-296-8508 to schedule your initial consultation today.
