IA Urges Scrapping of Non-Compete Agreements

US industry body the Insights Association (IA) has urged its members - and all MR and data analytics organizations - to scrap the enforcement of non-compete agreements for employees made redundant without full compensation, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Non-compete agreements ban workers at one company from going to work for, or starting, a competing business within a certain period of time after leaving a job. Across LinkedIn, industry colleagues have been sharing news about those companies which are currently imposing non-compete clauses on staff, including one firm which is blocking those it has made redundant from continuing to work in the MR sector, in return for two weeks' severance pay.

According to the IA, scrapping the enforcement of these agreements would in no way prevent an employer from maintaining all rights, including legal action, against an employee who misappropriates trade secrets or other confidential or proprietary information. Instead, IA supports the use of 'non-solicit' and 'non-disclosure' agreements, to help employers service existing clients while ensuring protection of intellectual and confidential information.

Melanie Courtright, CEO of the Insights Association, comments: 'Respect for our industry will rise and fall based on how we treat employees at a time like this. We believe that our reputation and our future viability stand to suffer if, as an industry, we unduly prevent anyone from pursuing their livelihood and providing for their family. There is far more to gain right now by being empathetic and compassionate'.

Web site: www.insightsassociation.org .