California has long provided some of the strongest worker protections against non-compete agreements in the nation. Under Business and Professions Code § 16600, virtually every contract that restrains a person from engaging in a lawful profession, trade, or business is void and unenforceable in California. This protection applies broadly — regardless of whether the agreement was signed in California or another state, and regardless of how the agreement is labeled or structured.

Effective January 1, 2024, California law went even further. Under Senate Bill 699 and Assembly Bill 2288, it is now expressly unlawful for any employer to enter into a non-compete agreement with an employee, to attempt to enforce such an agreement, or to threaten enforcement. Employees who are harmed by an employer’s unlawful use of a non-compete agreement are entitled to:

• Injunctive relief to stop enforcement of the agreement;
• Actual damages, including lost wages and earnings; and
• Reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs.

If your employer has threatened to enforce a non-compete against you, refused to hire you based on a prior agreement, or used a non-compete to prevent you from pursuing new employment opportunities, you may have a legal claim. Contact Lebe Law today for a free consultation.