Boy meets girl.
Boy and girl love each other.
They can’t get married because of family issues.
They decide to elope.
There is a miscommunication.
One dies.
The other is most regretful and dies too.
Recall the story? Never was there a tale of more woe than that of Juliet and her Romeo?
If not, here is a quick refresher:
Well, employees who are unprepared to leave a job will experience something very similar.
They find a new job.
They love it.
They want it.
Then they realize they can’t take it because of contract issues.
They decide to do it quietly.
There is miscommunication.
A lawsuit is filed.
Everyone ends up in Court and employee can’t take new job after all.
The only real difference is that most people will survive a non-compete battle, physically.
So, how should they have done it?
Well, Romeo and Juliet should have waited until Mom and Dad allowed them to get together – but that’s another issue.
Employees should make sure their contract allows them to work elsewhere before finding that great new job. They should find out if their contract is valid and what options they may have. They should also decide whether it’s worth the risk of litigation to make the move.
If you need help taking these strategic steps, we will be happy to help.
We will review your contract. Discuss contract validity under Virginia law. Discuss your legal options. Discuss risks associated with litigation, etc.
Don’t make your job search more dramatic then it needs to be.