I think the implication is that salary is paid regardless of employment, as long as the non compete is enforced.

So if I quit McDonald’s they have to either keep paying me or release me from the non-compete and allow me to work at Burger King.

I think it’s totally fair.

It is employment with severe restrictions on job requirements, while not paying someone for providing years of service is indentured servitude.

"Garden leave" is when an employer keeps you on payroll so you can't start at a competitor until your strategic knowledge becomes stale. CA Courts require consideration be provided in exchange for not being able to earn a living.