Employment is "at-will" in Texas, meaning that employment can be terminated at any time for any reason, except on the basis of illegal discrimination or retaliation. Within this context, establishing an employment agreement is one way to set expectations and provide structure to the employer-employee relationship.
If you have been asked to sign an employment agreement, or if you are applying for an executive- or management-level position and would like an employment agreement drafted, contact an employment law attorney at Sturm Law PLLC to ensure that your rights and interests are protected. We draft, review and negotiate employment agreements for clients in Houston and throughout Texas.
What Makes A Noncompete Agreement Invalid?
Noncompete agreements are often used by businesses to protect trade secrets and other information in the event that an employee leaves the company. While noncompete agreements are an effective way for businesses to safeguard their interests, these kinds of agreements are not enforceable if they are too restrictive.
Typically, by signing a noncompete agreement, the employee agrees not to compete with the employer for a set period of time.
For a noncompete agreement to be valid and enforceable, it must be reasonable in scope, time and geographical reach:
- Scope: the agreement must be reasonable in how it defines competitors.
- Time: the agreement must be reasonable in duration, usually no longer than two or three years.
- Geography: the agreement typically applies to geographic areas where the employer does business.
If a noncompete agreement is too restrictive, a court will deem it invalid.
Founding attorney Charles A. Sturm is an aggressive trial lawyer who is Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. If you have questions or concerns about noncompete litigation, he can help.
Contact Sturm Law PLLC
To schedule a free consultation with a skilled noncompete litigator, contact us online or call 713-955-1800. We advise and represent executives, managers and non-managers in Houston and throughout Texas.
