Did you sign Google's noncompete? Good, you're fired

That's brutal. "engage in any employment, business or activity that is competitive with the Company's businesses"

There aren't many tech companies that can't be said to be competing with Google in one way or another. Assuming "the Company" means Google rather than Doubleclick (and it must) that makes them nearly unemployable.

"solicit business from, do business with or render services to, in any capacity, directly or indirectly, any entity that is or was a Company client or customer within the last twelve months of my employment with the Company, for a purpose or in a manner that is in any way competitive with the Company's business."

i.e., can't sell ads to anyone who used AdSense?

This is incredibly evil.

Non-competes don't stand up in court. Who would sign this type of agreement, though? I've signed non-competes before, but "I agree to provide a copy of this Agreement to any person or entities seeking to hire me before accepting employment with or engagement by any such person or entity." is insane.

I've never been so glad to not have taken a Google job.

A non-compete, like any contract, doesn't mean anything until a court actually enforces it. I'm no lawyer, but given the circumstances, I doubt these contracts will hold up in court well. Also, I'm pretty sure non-compete clauses are less enforcable when the employer does the termination.

I'm assuming most of these people had non-competes signed with DoubleClick. So I'm not entirely sure what the problem is here. And yes, even if you're going to work for a single day you need to sign the standard noncompete agreements.

courts won't enforce these. this is retarded.

Fortunately, unless they were promoted or given a bonus for signing the agreement, it's pointless:

_Provide a Benefit to the Employee_

Next, you must provide a benefit to the employee in exchange for his or her promise not to compete against you. Making a job offer contingent on signing a noncompete agreement probably satisfies this requirement, since the employee is receiving a benefit (a job) in exchange for the promise. It's more difficult to provide an existing employee with a benefit, but generally, coupling the agreement with a promotion or a raise will do the trick.

http://tinyurl.com/yvaqb4

"Don't be evil ... unless you can profit from it"

Why are we linking to flamebait Valleywag? http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=160704

never sign non-competes. just say no.

!(!evil)

This is as evil as it gets.

damn you valleywag