Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
As an employer, one of your worst fears may be that a disgruntled or entrepreneurial former employee may try to share your internal operations, documents, or trade secrets. What you can do to protect your business in these situations may not always be clear. This article is meant to help you consider your options when […]
Generally speaking, you can prohibit your employees from engaging in certain activities (including social media use) during work hours or while using your equipment and/or communication systems—and discipline them for doing so.
The U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals (which covers Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia) recently issued a published decision on an employer’s second appeal of a judgment in favor of its former employee on claims of breaching an employment agreement and misappropriating trade secrets under the Maryland Uniform Trade Secrets Act […]
The U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals (which covers Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia) recently issued a published decision on an employer’s second appeal of a judgment in favor of its former employee on claims of breaching an employment agreement and misappropriating trade secrets under the Maryland Uniform Trade Secrets Act […]
Noncompete agreements between employers and their employees traditionally are governed by state law. But that didn’t stop the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) from recently filing a statement of interest encouraging a Nevada state court to consider federal antitrust principles to invalidate noncompete agreements between a large medical group and its physician-employees.
A recent lawsuit in San Antonio mixes all the elements of a potboiler novel: an executive lured to a competitor, trade secrets allegedly disclosed, lawsuits galore. The plot, however, is as old as time.
The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia recently decided a case involving trade secrets and restrictive covenants after a former employee took a customer contact list with him when he left to work with a competitor. The court’s ruling serves as an important reminder for employers.
The 2021 Oregon legislative session imposed further limitations on noncompetition agreements. Before the law becomes effective on January 1, 2022, you should review your agreements to ensure they provide the best possible protection. New Limits on Noncompetes Senate Bill (SB) 169, which passed during the 2021 Oregon legislative session, further limits employers’ ability to use […]
An East Tennessee federal district court recently issued a preliminary injunction barring a person from using information he stole from his former employer to further his competing business.
With many employees working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic, employers have depended on Zoom or other web-based video conferencing tools to conduct meetings online. Users can choose to record sessions, collaborate on projects, and share or annotate on one another’s screens. Unfortunately, the process also can open the possibility of trade secret theft if […]