On Jan. 5, 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced a proposed rule that would prohibit employers from imposing or enforcing noncompete clauses on workers. The proposed rule will have a public comment window of 60 days after the rule is published in the Federal Register (the rule has not been published in the Federal Register yet).
Rationale for the Proposed Rule
The FTC’s proposed rule is based on President Joe Biden’s 2021 Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American Economy, which encouraged the FTC to exercise its statutory rule-making authority under the Federal Trade Commission Act to “curtail the unfair use of non-compete clauses and other clauses or agreements that may unfairly limit worker mobility.”
Overview of the Proposed Rule
If adopted, the proposed rule would:
-Ban employers from entering into noncompete clauses with workers and independent contractors;
-Require employers to rescind existing noncompete clauses with employees; and
-Require employers to actively inform their employees that their noncompete agreements are no longer in effect.
Impact on Employers
At this stage, the proposed rule does not create any new obligations for employers. However, employers that use noncompete agreements should become familiar with the proposal. Interested employers should submit any comments to the FTC within the 60-day window the agency will allow for feedback.
For a copy of this notice, click here: FTC Announces Proposed Rule Banning Noncompete Agreements