Are non-compete agreements enforceable?

It depends heavily on the state. California does not enforce non-competes at all. Most other states enforce them if they are reasonable in scope, duration, and geography. Revealr flags red flags and notes relevant enforceability context.

What is a reasonable non-compete duration?

Courts generally view 6–12 months as reasonable. 2+ years is increasingly hard to defend. Revealr flags unusually long durations.

What if my non-compete covers the entire country?

Nationwide non-competes are generally disfavored by courts unless the business has a genuine national presence and the employee had senior access to national operations.

What is garden leave?

A provision where you are paid during your non-compete period but not required to work. Revealr notes whether your non-compete includes compensation for the restriction period.

Can I negotiate a non-compete before signing?

Yes. Geographic scope, duration, and the definition of 'competing business' are all negotiable. Many employers expect candidates to push back on aggressive terms.

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Non-Compete Agreement Review — Understand How Far Your Non-Compete Really Reaches

Non-compete agreements can follow you for years after you leave a job. They determine where you can work, who you can work for, and what roles you can take. The scope — geography, industry definition, duration — determines how restrictive it actually is in practice. Revealr reads your non-compete and flags what is aggressive, what is standard, and what is potentially unenforceable.

Full clause-by-clause review — every section, not just the highlights
Risk score 0–100 — understand severity at a glance
Plain-English explanations — no legal jargon required
Specific action steps — exactly what to negotiate or ask
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What Makes a Non-Compete Agreement Enforceable?

What Revealr checks in non-compete agreements

Geographic scope

Whether restrictions are local, regional, national, or global

Duration

6 months to 2+ years — courts view longer terms with skepticism

Industry and role breadth

How broadly "competing business" is defined

Consideration for signing

Whether you received anything of value in exchange for the restriction

Garden leave provisions

Whether you are compensated during the restriction period

What Revealr Flags in Non-Compete Agreements

Here is what a Revealr analysis looks like for a real Non-Compete Agreement.

Revealr Analysis

Non-Compete Agreement

Risk Score

74 / 100

CRITICAL§4.1

Overbroad Restricted Territory

This non-compete applies to any geographic region where the company conducts or plans to conduct business — effectively making it national or global in scope. Courts in most states would view this as overbroad. Request a specific state or regional limitation.

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Should You Sign a Non-Compete Without Getting It Reviewed?

Employees receiving a non-compete

You are being asked to sign before starting a new role

Professionals considering leaving a job

You want to understand what restrictions apply after you leave

Job candidates evaluating offers

Your offer includes a non-compete and you want to understand it before accepting

An overbroad non-compete can effectively prevent you from working in your field for 1–2 years. Understanding its scope before signing determines whether you have room to negotiate or need to walk away.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related tools & guides

review the NDA that came with your non-compete review your full employment contract check your IP assignment too

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Revealr provides AI-assisted document analysis for informational purposes only. Non-compete enforceability varies significantly by state. Consult an employment attorney for high-stakes situations.