Non-competes are heavily restricted in the UK under the basic principles of free competition, anti-slavery and anti-trust. No noncompete clause can go further than is reasonably necessary to protect a legitimate business interest, otherwise it is unenforceable. The burden of proof is on the employer. No individual can be prevented from plying their trade by contract with another. I'm amazed in the land of the free th…
Maybe. Pretty much every company I've worked for has had a vaguely worded non-compete clause in their contracts. Usually you can't work for another company that does the same thing (i.e. a direct competitor) for a year.
None of them ever enforced them to my knowledge. Even ex-Dyson employees going to Shark. But the fact that they are allowed at all (and they are) is often enough to generate fear and doubt.
Some people leaving Dyson refused to name their new employees just to be safe.
They should be banned entirely.