No Compete Clause

[GreenLightning]

here's an interesting situation that I've just found myself in. I've been working for a real estate company doing their web stuff for about a year on a freelance basis. I signed a "no compete" clause stating that I can't do similar jobs for other real estate companies. Not really a problem.

Now that there is such s slump in real estate sales, the owner wants to branch off and start her own web consulting company. Since nobody else in the company knows anything about web design, I would be doing all the work, generating all the leads, and designing all the pages. Not only that, but I will have to sign a no compete so that I can't do any freelance web work at all on the side. Also, since this will be a start up company, it probably won't be making much money. Why on earth would I want to sign a contract stating that I will have to do a whole bunch of work and probably not make much money on it when I could just do all of the same work for myself and take all of the profits I make?

[Red Kittie Kat]

I gave you your own thread Green vs re-opening a 2 year old discussion.

:)

[budafist]

Good idea Kittie.

If you don't want to sign a non compete and find it totally unfair, then don't sign it.

[CkretAjint]

yah, just tell her no and to find another designer and stay with your current job.

[budafist]

She sounds like she needs you way more than you need her.

[doubting_thomas]

Why on earth would I want to sign a contract stating that I will have to do a whole bunch of work and probably not make much money on it when I could just do all of the same work for myself and take all of the profits I make?
Hmmm... why would you, indeed. I wouldn't.

[PrintDriver]

do you work for them or freelance for them?
If you're freelance, a non-compete that doesn't allow you to do any other web work at all better be attached to a damn lucrative paycheck.

[budafist]

Very lucrative.

Just out of curiousity, using percentages only, what would be acceptable for a freelance non compete.

If a company told me that if I wanted their freelance contract, I couldn't work for anyone else, then they better be paying 100% of my yearly salary right?

[PrintDriver]

Yes. In fact, I think that's called being an employee...:D
Don't let clients derail your freelance business.

[mojoprime]

^^agreed. no way that deal is kosher.

[seamas]

Yep.

Tell her EXACTLY what the consequences of a "no compete clause" would actually mean to you.

I think this person is being ignorant, and she should be better informed.

Don't sign it.