Restrictive covenants: protecting the information that makes you a success
Restrictive covenants are clauses in an employment contract that aim to prevent former employees from acting unfairly in competition to you by exploiting your information and business contacts. Whatever your line of business, you are going to have certain, unique information that is paramount to your success. It is important to provide legal protection for this information by using the right type of restrictive covenant:
- Non-competition covenants – preventing a former employee from working for one of your competitors
- Non-solicitation covenants – preventing staff from stealing clients from you
- Non-dealing covenants – preventing any association between your clients and a former member of staff, irrespective of who approached who
- Non-solicitation covenants – preventing former employees from poaching members of your staff and employing them to work in competition against you
We can assist you in making sure that the restrictive covenants you write into employee contracts are realistic in terms of geographical scope, timescale and the extent to which you are protecting your business’ interests. We have experience of advising organisations on 'team moves', and managing the risks that arise when such events take place.
If your employees do act improperly, during or after their employment, we can take swift and immediate action to enforce the terms of the contract of employment.
Next Steps
If you would like to speak to HardingEvans about restrictive covenant issues, then please complete our enquiry form, or contact Dan Wilde, Head of Employment on 01633 760662 or email wilded@hevans.com