should I sign it ?

buttton said:

I understand his point, but Im not out to steal business and wont sign it. Is this common for an employer to ask. Its not like they pay enough to be exclusive.

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It would seem you have already made up your mind not to sign it by your statement above, if you plan on staying with the company I see no reason not to sign, but if you do plan to leave it could be sooner then later if you refuse.

Kinda' a hard place to be in, you made them look bad (normal print staff) and good (with the customers) at the same time, I would think your employer has noticed that which is the reason he wants you to sign.....ultimately no one can make the decision for you.

Hope this helps.

I say don't sign it...My ex-boss tried the same thing with me it was a long winded contract. And everything he wrote in it was to the benefit of the company..And all out to cripple me from doing anything to do with screen printing on my time or after i left the company. So i wrote my sticking points and made sure that he knew what i did on my time was my concern and none of his. And that if i ever left the company i could go anywhere and do what ever i decided to do. whether it be screen printing for someone else or myself. I did leave in the contract that I would not contact his customers or give customer info to any other screen printing shop..."you do have the right to refuse to sign" . customers are free to come and go as the please.

This is pretty common in these situations. It's called a "non-compete agreement." But since you have already started your own side gig, I assume you want that to grow (potentially into a full time business). Don't sign the agreement without consulting an attorney. At some point, you may need to sign something. It will ultimately benefit you and your employer to get everything figured out properly. But make sure you have a legal rep on your side.

I think you're last sentence summed it up. If they want you to sign up a "non-compete" agreement then they at least have to offer you something in return.

I was asked to sign a non comp agreement for my past 2 employers. I worked for a fashion company in NYC and the other was in Waste Management.. They both stated that i could not quit and get a job working in the those industries for their competitors that were listed for up to 5 years. I signed the first one but i got laid off anyway 2 years later so it was void and i also signed the second one and got laid off 3 months later and it became void!! LOL One of the many reasons i am starting my own business
In your situation i wouldnt sign it.. From what you say you already do better work.. Start your own company and make your boss work for you!!!!!!! And have your attorney read it for you..

Thanks for the responce, it was really helpful. I was taken off-guard by it b/c I never thought about this aspect of printing. In the end I will not sign, Im not going to limit myself like that and invite all kind of trouble. Its just good to hear your stories.

Thanks Again

A non-compete agreement is worth nothing. Under federal law, no one can stop you from making a living doing what you do best. I have been to court on this ( not with printing but with selling aerospace services ) and won.