BOSTON – Supporters of bills that would limit the use of non-compete employment clauses in Massachusetts are hoping for a legislative breakthrough after several near misses in recent years.
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Employers often require employees to enter into agreements that they will not go to work for a potential competitor in the same industry.
Former Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick tried unsuccessfully to abolish non-competes before leaving office in 2014. Last year, proposals restricting the scope and duration of such agreements passed the House and Senate, but negotiations over a compromise broke down in the waning hours of the legislative session.
This past week a legislative committee heard several new bills on non-competes and the related issue of protecting trade secrets.
