This sounds nearly as broad as the first lawsuit, which Amazon lost. They’re likely hoping that a different judge will find in their favor. Personally, it seems seriously unreasonable to specifically say “you can’t work with Google in the field you’re an expert in for a lengthy period of time after you leave us.” Hopefully the judge in this case is similar to the one in the first. I’m curious to see how this goes.
Not a lawyer
I thought there was a law about contracts something like, “It cannot unfairly disadvantage either party”.
ie. You can’t sign away your rights as a citizen? Surely this contract would fall under that category? While we are at it surely NDAs should be illegal?
I would hope so. While we’re at it, binding arbitration clauses in TOS agreements. Arbitration consistently favors the larger organization (i.e. the company), and increasingly many businesses are including in their TOS a clause that says you sign give up your right to a jury trial, and in many cases also give up your right to negotiate on the arbitration mediator! No idea how the hell that is legal.
I signed it because I wasn’t planning on taking a job that could possibly compete with Amazon for the next 5-7 years (going to graduate school for EE). Don’t know about other people.
Also, these agreements are probably pretty common, so you might not have a choice in the matter.
I guess the solution if you can afford it is 5 years Amazon, 5 years study, 5 years Google, 5 years study etc.
Otherwise I guess you need two careers? IT and law/art/building etc.
Moral of the story “Don’t work for Amazon… it will damage your career.”
Lesson duly noted.
This sounds nearly as broad as the first lawsuit, which Amazon lost. They’re likely hoping that a different judge will find in their favor. Personally, it seems seriously unreasonable to specifically say “you can’t work with Google in the field you’re an expert in for a lengthy period of time after you leave us.” Hopefully the judge in this case is similar to the one in the first. I’m curious to see how this goes.
Not a lawyer
I thought there was a law about contracts something like, “It cannot unfairly disadvantage either party”.
ie. You can’t sign away your rights as a citizen? Surely this contract would fall under that category? While we are at it surely NDAs should be illegal?
I would hope so. While we’re at it, binding arbitration clauses in TOS agreements. Arbitration consistently favors the larger organization (i.e. the company), and increasingly many businesses are including in their TOS a clause that says you sign give up your right to a jury trial, and in many cases also give up your right to negotiate on the arbitration mediator! No idea how the hell that is legal.
I can’t understand why anyone signs these things.
I can. Even if I don’t.
I signed it because I wasn’t planning on taking a job that could possibly compete with Amazon for the next 5-7 years (going to graduate school for EE). Don’t know about other people.
Also, these agreements are probably pretty common, so you might not have a choice in the matter.
I guess the solution if you can afford it is 5 years Amazon, 5 years study, 5 years Google, 5 years study etc. Otherwise I guess you need two careers? IT and law/art/building etc.