Security Dealer & Integrator

NOV 2013

Find news and information for the executive corporate security director, CSO, facility manager and assets protection manager on issues of policy, products, incidents, risk management, threat assessments and preparedness.

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LEGAL WATCH By Eric Pritchard Protect Your Accounts Examining the value of restrictive covenants in business and employee contracts C "Often, the mere presence of (restrictive) covenants, whether or not they are enforceable, will dissuade would-be poachers from attacking your accounts." ustomer accounts are the lifeblood of your business — and the most likely target for unscrupulous competitors, former employees or disgruntled former business partners. How can you protect these accounts and preserve the value of your business? One way is to use restrictive covenants in all employment agreements. Often, the mere presence of these covenants, whether or not they are enforceable, will dissuade wouldbe poachers from attacking your accounts. The provisions appropriate for each employee may differ; however, every employee should be covered by restrictive covenants. Furthermore, all business contracts should include restrictive covenants — whether among the company's ownership or between the company and its dealers or independent contractors. Drafting restrictive covenants is not a doit-yourself project — one size does not fit all. Courts do not like restrictive covenants and often look for reasons to avoid them; in fact, some states, such as California, refuse to enforce them. In states where restrictive covenants are enforceable, they must be narrowly drafted to protect a legitimate business interest, and they must also include specific components. Otherwise, they may lack the protections you seek (and thought you had). Potential Elements of Restrictive Covenants Make sure to have these agreements drafted by an attorney who understands restrictive covenants. Your attorney can also help you decide whether some, or all, of the following provisions should be included: Non-compete clauses provide the highest level of protection but are the most difficult to enforce. Courts are reluctant to restrict a former employee's ability to find work to support their family — even if it is with your competitor. Enforcement often depends 22 on specific facts. A court probably will not enforce a non-compete against a technician — you likely have no legitimate business interest in restricting his employment — but may enforce a non-compete against an employee who solicits business from your customers. You do have a legitimate business interest in protecting your customer relationships. The duration and geographic scope of a noncompete clause must be narrowly tailored as well. You cannot stop a former employee from competing in geographic areas where you are not operating, for example. Additionally, the time period covered must also be reasonable. Generally, the shorter the duration, the more likely the clause will be enforced. Non-solicitation clauses directly prohibit parties from soliciting your existing customers. Courts are more likely to enforce these than non-compete clauses because they specifically protect your ongoing customer relationships. Enforcement of non-solicitation clauses often depends on who solicited whom: did the former employee solicit the customer or did the customer approach the employee? Non-acceptance clauses prohibit former employees from accepting business from your customers and are more difficult to enforce than non-solicitation clauses because they restrict the customer's right to choose a provider. Well-drafted restrictive covenants not only include prohibitions against soliciting or accepting business from existing clients, but also from your business prospects as well. Non-disparagement clauses prohibit employees from speaking critically of their former employer and offer more specific protection than defamation laws. Non-disclosure agreements prohibit the disclosure of trade secrets including confidential customer lists. But keeping information confidential can be tricky — the information (continues on page 58) www.SecurityInfoWatch.com | SD&I; | October 2013

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