Employment Contract

[Torley]

I ama corporate meeting planner and have been offered employment but must sign a Contract of Employment.  The employer is a licensee of a parent company. Within the contract is a Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation clause, it states in part that I shall not directly or indirectly render services to, or engage in any activities that were performed by Employee while at the Company including, but not limited to, seeking or accepting employment with or work from any existing client and/or prospective client of the Company."  This applies for two years after I cease to be employed by the Company.

I'm concerned about the "prospective clients" part.  Doesn't the agreement need to be more specific?  The service the company provides is transferable to most any business.  Is two years a typical duration?  

Also, it states that I must advise any change of address and/or any positions I accept for a period of two years.

Thank you so much for your time.

Valerie  

[Carew]

You should have an attorney take a look at the entire contract.  Often, the language is more broad than you would suspect at first reading it.  For example, in many cases if you went to work for a new employer who had a single client that was recently a client of your company, you might be in breach of your agreement.

As for your specific questions, if there is no definition of "prospective client" you should certainly ask for one.  Nearly any company may be a prospective client.  It should at least be limited to company's which received a specific proposal or pitch from your proposed employer.

As for duration, two years is not unusual in a non-solicitation agreement.

Good luck.