Q: What is a non-compete agreement?

In Virginia, a covenant not to compete (non-compete agreement) is a written agreement that an employee signs agreeing not to go to work for a competitor when they stop working with their current employer. There are several factors that a court will look to when determining the enforceability of a non-compete agreement, but generally, a non-compete agreement must be reasonable.

More specifically, in considering the reasonableness of the non-compete agreement, courts in Virginia look to such factors as:

Back to Employment Law FAQs