This is the sort of dystopia I’m talking about that we are building right now.
Now, in many states, the law also extends to cover less well-defined knowledge, such as employee know-how, customer relations, and knowledge that is not used commercially. It gives firms control over employee knowledge that goes far beyond true trade secrets, reaching into basic knowledge that employees need to do their jobs. While most employers don’t push the limits of these powers, an increasing number have done so.
The combination of expanding trade-secret law and the growing use of employment contracts covering post-employment activity has a huge impact on the career trajectories of many workers.
The intent is to lock workers into one job, thus reducing salaries.
As for me, I will never sign a non-compete agreement. If one is suggested in an interview, I will walk right out the door (I’ve done it before).
There is little more thrilling in life I’ve found than when someone thinks they hold all the power over you and you get up in the middle of an interview and say, “Well, I am leaving now” and confidently stride out.
I’ve done that twice in my life.
I’ll probably do it again.
You might get the wrong impression from what you read here sometimes. In real life, I am very 
courteous and accommodating to a fault — until there is no reason to be. Ignorant people take that for weakness. But I grew up being bullied. When I feel like someone is attempting to bully me, or going down that path, they are shocked at the change it causes in me. Then, I am done. Just done. No more chances.
I am lucky to be able to do that, walk out like that, or to tell someone to fuck off. I know that, so no need to remind me. But I use my luck, too, and refuse to be a punching bag.
And I’m a really good IT worker. Why be modest? I know I am good at what I do. Experience proves it. That companies beg me to stay when I resign proves it.
So, employers, some notice in advance: I will NEVER work for you if you make me sign a non-compete agreement. Salary is irrelevant. A million a year? NOPE. My self-respect and freedom is worth more to me than that.
I was talking with my girlfriend last night about how corporations these days have far more power over individuals than the government. Just another bit of evidence for that.
I walked out of an interview once for that reason. Alas, I wasn’t terribly confident but I just found it incredibly shady they put 1)a non compete under my nose when I walked in, 2)insisted it was “boilerplate and 2)the paper was “company property”. I refused to sign it before the interview, the HR person started the interview and then the manager came in 10 minutes later and started freaking out. This was an entry level job for a mortgage processor. I was told by the temp firm that they only wanted people who had graduated from a university within the last two years and they thought I’d have “fun” working there.
Wow, yeah, that does sound shady indeed.
I have nothing against people who don’t have a choice but to sign one because they need a job. Our society makes that hard to avoid sometimes if you want to continue eating. And even the ones that are more restrained can be ok (sometimes) if very limited in scope to trade secrets given to competitors. But the ones that prevent you from working in your own field?
Those should be illegal — funny the stats show these agreements only harm the industries involved, but I guess they see a short-term advantage? Or just regular incompetence.