Companies apne key employees ko competitors ke paas directly jump karne se rokne ke liye non-compete aur non-solicit clauses add karte hain. Garden leave clause ke through notice period me employee ko office se door rakhte hain, but salary continue karte hain.
Courts normally yeh balance rakhna chahte hain:
- Employer ka legitimate business interest – trade secrets, client connections,
- Employee ka right to livelihood and career growth.
Isliye extreme blanket non-compete – “5 saal tak industry me kaam nahi kar sakte” – often unenforceable ho jata hai. Narrow, reasonable restrictions (short duration, limited geography, specific client list) better chance rakhte hain.
Non-solicit clients/staff clauses comparatively zyada acceptable hote hain – aap chaho to free market me job lo, but old employer ke clients directly poach mat karo.
Employees ko contract sign karte waqt in clauses ko lightly nahi lena chahiye. Senior levels pe negotiation possible hota hai; junior levels pe kam sahi, but awareness phir bhi zaroori.