> Also even in CA where NC's are in theory non-enforceable, I know multiple people whose new employers did not want to test the water with very litigious firms and had people sit out the full NC.

It's a known effect that not working can take a physical toll on some people (i.e. the mortality effect of retirement - https://www.nber.org/bah/2018no1/mortality-effects-retiremen... ). I'm sure no one would ever do it, but I wonder if an employee would win if they sued both the old and new employer as co-conspirators to violate California's non-compete prohibition, citing the not-working health toll as their standing to sue.