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When the Guy Making Your Sandwich Has a Noncompete Clause

nytimes.com

21–30 of 99 posts

Re: When the Guy Making Your Sandwich Has a Noncompete Clause

#21

Their food is disappointing and now their business practices are, too? I'm really wishing the NYT had tried to get a comment from Jimmy John's corporate before publication. I'd love to hear their justification for that.

I'm guessing they don't want to spend time training people only to have them leave for another shop. I wonder if there is a limit on this clause?

Re: When the Guy Making Your Sandwich Has a Noncompete Clause

#22
post #10

The article has a pretty obvious slant in one direction. A lot of times small businesses will require this of their entry level workers not because they are afraid of their workers going to a competitor, but don't want their employees to go and start a competing business, which in the small business world is a very real risk. It costs much less to start a small business, and in the local market many of these small bu…

I am confused by what appears to be an assertion that Jimmy John's has a legitimate concern that their minimum-wage-earning food service employees might leave to start a competing national sandwich chain.

Devil's Advocate:

It's certain that Jimmy John's line-worker can't start a 2,000 store chain, but they could run off with some of the catering business.

Re: When the Guy Making Your Sandwich Has a Noncompete Clause

#24

Their food is disappointing and now their business practices are, too? I'm really wishing the NYT had tried to get a comment from Jimmy John's corporate before publication. I'd love to hear their justification for that.

"Our SuperSekrit(TM) ingredients and procedures make our sandwiches so much better than our competitors, and we have to protect that."

Turn the problem into a chance for free positive PR, no matter how much you have to twist things to do so. That's what I'd expect, anyway.

Re: When the Guy Making Your Sandwich Has a Noncompete Clause

#25
post #10

The article has a pretty obvious slant in one direction. A lot of times small businesses will require this of their entry level workers not because they are afraid of their workers going to a competitor, but don't want their employees to go and start a competing business, which in the small business world is a very real risk. It costs much less to start a small business, and in the local market many of these small bu…

I am confused by what appears to be an assertion that Jimmy John's has a legitimate concern that their minimum-wage-earning food service employees might leave to start a competing national sandwich chain.

I can clear up your confusion, but I warn you, it isn't pretty. Quick, put on these sunglasses and look at bsbechtel again. Just don't stare too long.

Re: When the Guy Making Your Sandwich Has a Noncompete Clause

#26

The article has a pretty obvious slant in one direction. A lot of times small businesses will require this of their entry level workers not because they are afraid of their workers going to a competitor, but don't want their employees to go and start a competing business, which in the small business world is a very real risk. It costs much less to start a small business, and in the local market many of these small bu…

Yes, competition is a real risk in starting a business - welcome to the free market! Unless, of course, you're a JJ's employee that has signed a non-compete ; - )

Re: When the Guy Making Your Sandwich Has a Noncompete Clause

#27

The article has a pretty obvious slant in one direction. A lot of times small businesses will require this of their entry level workers not because they are afraid of their workers going to a competitor, but don't want their employees to go and start a competing business, which in the small business world is a very real risk. It costs much less to start a small business, and in the local market many of these small bu…

[deleted]

Re: When the Guy Making Your Sandwich Has a Noncompete Clause

#28
post #19

Non compete clauses do not make sense for employees that are not highly compensated. They are a violation of the 13th amendment and frequently unenforceable. This doesn't stop people from trying to use them as a tool to increase employee retention especially in the face of poor work conditions and bad management. If an employer insists on one, you should ask for compensation. Make sure they agree to pay you some amou…

One of the problems with being poor is that you might not be able to afford lawyers to contest a suit over a non-compete. Therefore, we can't rely on post hoc legal remedies. Companies need to be proactively prevented, via regulation, from trying to pull this kind of stuff.

Re: When the Guy Making Your Sandwich Has a Noncompete Clause

#29
post #20

The article has a pretty obvious slant in one direction. A lot of times small businesses will require this of their entry level workers not because they are afraid of their workers going to a competitor, but don't want their employees to go and start a competing business, which in the small business world is a very real risk. It costs much less to start a small business, and in the local market many of these small bu…

[deleted]

http://www.quora.com/What-does-it-feel-like-to-be-intelligen...

Re: When the Guy Making Your Sandwich Has a Noncompete Clause

#30
post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"It costs much less to start a small business" Ok, I'll bite. In what way does starting a small business "cost less"? Less than what? Have you ever tried to get a loan to start a retail restaurant? It's incredibly difficult to get the funding necessary, especially in an industry with such low margins.

Retail fast food restaurant - All these businesses can be started with either 1) personal savings, 2) a family and friends loan, or 3) credit cards. They all also have the advantage of generating cash from day 1, vs a tech startup which can have substantial development time.

You're very out of touch with the life of a minimum wage worker. I'm not sure what I can do to fix that, but maybe just step back and think about who you're defending and why.
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