Non-

Searching for some validity in the correct answer of this question:

An architecture firm wants to hire an architect who will be trusted with several important clients. In exchange for a sign-on bonus, the firm asks the prospective employee to sign a non-compete agreement to protect the firm's interests if the future employee eventually leaves the firm.

Which one of the following clauses is reasonable to include in the non-compete agreement?

a. Employee agrees to not seek employment with a competing firm located in the same region within 18 months of leaving the firm.

b. Employee agrees to not solicit clients from the firm for a minimum of six months after leaving.

c. Employee must stop communications with all clients and consultants upon notification that they intend to leave the firm.

Correct answer is marked as B.

While i can see that both A and B have similar merit in the context of the question, answer A has pretty spot on terminology found in a typical non-compete agreements. To me, answer B doesn't provide a long enough time period before being able to compete for clients from the previous firm.

Thoughts?

abruno168 September 02, 2025 13:35

To me, it's extreme to say that an employee cannot seek employment with another firm in the same region within 18 months of leaving. A year and a half that someone either needs to find a new sector to work in or has to move to a different region to find employment and stay compliant with the clause. Option C is along the same line of extreme conditions where they're unable to communicate with clients/consultants upon leaving.

Option B gives a grace period that does not restrict the employee from seeking other employment, only limiting their access to acquiring work from clients that the firm was able to connect with, which is more reasonable and doesn't restrict the employee from being out of work for a potential period of time and needing to cease all communications with previous clients/consultants.

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