Non-Compete Agreements Becoming Common Outside Tech

Non-compete clauses, long standard in the tech and sales industries, are becoming increasingly common in a wide variety of fields, from event planners to investment fund managers, the New York Times reports. Critics say the proliferation of non-competes, even in industries that do not deal with the type of trade secrets that inspired such agreements, hinders innovation and ultimately damages economies. The trend led Massachusetts lawmakers to propose legislation that would heighten restrictions on non-competes, to bring the state more in line with California, where many claim high-tech firms have flourished because of tight non-compete limitations. Supporters of the agreements say non-competes give companies incentive to invest in their work force.