Service agreements/contract of employment

[hunny]

Hi,
Hopefully there is someone out there who can throw a light on the problem that I have.
I will try and keep it simple and brief, I became employed in January of this year as a sales engineer. on my first day of arrival I was presented with this 'service agreement' to sign. Which I flicked through and signed as I didn't want to rock the boat on my first day! Over the next 3 months I wasn't over excited about my new job things didn't appear quite right, and I'd given up a successful post within the same industry, bringing along with me all contacts that I had built up only to find myself terminated after the three month period!! I am basically an honest and trusting person, but as you will imagine this left me both reeling and devastated.
Alarm bells then started to ring about the contract that I had signed - that I could'nt work for another competitor or indeed for myself for a period of 1 year. This is the only way I know to make my living. I did manage to get employment within the month and although I am selling within the same industry I have not contacted any of the customers that I dealt with whilst at this company. Legally can anyone tell me how I stand? I have been told that this type of contract is more of a threat and wouln't stand up in law. I feel that I have been badly treated here and their left with my previous contacts. Hardly fair!!!
Any advice would be gratefully received.

 

[Shaggy]

Ironicall enough I was in a similar situation when I left my last firm to set up a competative company of my own.

I could not contact any of my previous firms contacts which I had dealt with for up to 12 months prior to my leaving!!

The law is a bit wishy washy about the contracts, but they can not stop you from making a living irrespective of whether you signed the contract. Essentially we had it looked at by a reputable lawyer who said it wouldn't stand up in court.

I can not comment on your specific situation, but they can not stop you fropm making a living, but contacting their cutstomer could be in breach.

I would speak to a solicitor who knows business law to verify this though.

 

[hunny]

Many thanks for your reply, I imagine its quite a common problem.
I will definately not contact clients of this company as I won't take that risk, although it seems totally unfair as I introduced most of them to the company myself!