What Is a Kansas Non-Compete Agreement?
In Kansas, a non-compete agreement is a document relying on restrictive covenants that companies and businesses will use to guard themselves against unfair competition. Employers often request that new hires sign a non-compete agreement at the beginning of the employment relationship which prevents them from working with competing companies for a given period of time after their employment within a specific geographical range. The purpose of non-competition agreements is to protect the interests of the employer by legally protecting their sensitive information such as their customer contacts, intellectual property, and other legitimate business interests.
Such agreements may be their own stand-alone contracts or they may be part of an employment contract. To determine the enforceability, Kansas business owners should seek legal advice from a lawyer who practices employment law. If the business has branches in Missouri or if it is close to Missouri and its employees or independent contractors live in Missouri, it could be beneficial to also talk with a law firm that is licensed both in Kansas and Missouri. The covenant not to compete would need to conform with laws from both states, not be overbroad, and not violate the public policy of either location.
Hiring an independent contractor to work for your Kansas business? Download an independent contractor agreement form now!