US FTC votes to ban noncompete agreements nationwide

The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has taken a significant step in reshaping employment practices nationwide by voting to ban noncompete agreements, deeming them unfair methods of competition. These agreements, especially prevalent in the tech industry, aim to restrict employees from joining or establishing competing businesses. Recent cases, including Amazon’s enforcement and retraction of a noncompete agreement for warehouse workers, have underscored the contentious nature of these agreements.

Under the new ruling, companies must nullify existing noncompete agreements and inform employees of the change. While existing agreements for senior executives are permitted to remain in effect, companies will be prohibited from implementing new noncompete agreements. The FTC defines senior executives as individuals involved in policy-making decisions earning over $151,164 annually.

In response to criticisms of noncompete agreements, the FTC has advocated for alternative measures such as trade secret laws and non-disclosure agreements. FTC Chair Lina Khan emphasised that noncompete clauses hinder wage growth, stifle innovation, and impede economic progress. The agency estimates that approximately 30 million workers are bound by noncompete agreements, prompting the ban’s potential to generate thousands of new businesses annually while enhancing healthcare affordability and increasing worker compensation.

Having initially proposed the ban in January 2023, the FTC anticipates that the new rule will be implemented 120 days after its publication in the Federal Register. This development marks a significant shift in labour practices, signalling a broader reevaluation of the impact of non-compete agreements on workers and the economy.