Hello, I'm hoping someone more knowledgable can help.
I've been in my current role for almost 12 months. It was a totally new industry to me.
We've just been given a new part to our contract to sign which is a non compete clause for 12 months after leaving.
In my original contract there is no such clause. A few people have left for competitors which is probably why they've introduced this.
The industry is quite niche, and there aren't hundreds of different companies to go to if you want to stay within the same industry.
I'm not in a senior position, more middle management I would say, so 12 months seems excessive if I were to leave and want to stay doing the same thing.
Can I ask the legalities of this clause being added, and if it's enforceable? Do I have to sign and if I don't is it just implied that I agree?
Also, they have backdated this to the beginning of Feb, but I was only sent it today - should I change the date if I do sign?
Thanks in advance.