Are Non Compete Agreements Enforceable in Tennessee

In Tennessee, non-compete agreements are a common practice among employers. These agreements are designed to protect the employer`s confidential information, trade secrets, and business relationships. However, the question remains, are non-compete agreements enforceable in Tennessee? The answer is yes, but with certain limitations.

Under Tennessee law, non-compete agreements are enforceable as long as they are reasonable and necessary to protect the employer`s legitimate business interests. This means that the agreement must be limited in scope, duration, and geographic area. If the agreement is too broad, it may be deemed unreasonable and therefore unenforceable.

The duration of the non-compete agreement is also an important factor. The agreement must be limited in time, usually no more than two years. Anything beyond that is likely to be deemed unreasonable. The agreement must also be limited in geographic scope. It cannot prohibit an employee from working in an entire state, for example, but rather must be limited to a specific region or area.

In Tennessee, non-compete agreements are generally enforceable if the employer has a legitimate business interest to protect. This includes protecting trade secrets, confidential business information, and customer relationships. However, the employer cannot use the agreement to prevent an employee from pursuing their livelihood or engaging in lawful employment after leaving the company.

In addition to limitations on scope, duration, and geographic area, it is also important to note that non-compete agreements must be supported by consideration. This means that the employee must receive something of value in return for signing the agreement, such as a job offer, promotion, or access to confidential information.

In summary, non-compete agreements are enforceable in Tennessee, but with certain limitations. The agreement must be reasonable and necessary to protect the employer`s legitimate business interests and cannot prevent the employee from pursuing their livelihood or engaging in lawful employment. It is important to carefully review and negotiate any non-compete agreement before signing to ensure that it does not unfairly restrict your future career opportunities.