A lot of companies these days have their employees sign non-compete agreements when they’re hired. With so much information exchanged online, it’s important that your employees understand that this won’t be tolerated. Your agreement will also state that your employees aren’t allowed to work for a competitor.
If you learn that a former employee has violated their agreement, you have a few options. You can let it go, hoping that the ex-employee won’t share any of your private company information with their new employer. Or you can hire an experienced Spartanburg private investigator to prove what they’ve done.
Once you have the evidence you need to pursue their violation, the choice of what to do is yours. Your private investigator can’t make that decision for you. However, it will be easier to make a well-informed decision once you have proof that they’ve violated their non-compete. Make sure to call our office and set up a time to come in and meet with one of our expert Spartanburg private investigators today.
What Were the Terms of Your Non-Compete Agreement?
A lot of companies have their managers and salaried employees sign something called a non-compete agreement. This agreement basically states that if they quit their current job or get fired, they aren’t allowed to work for any of your competitors. Most agreements will set certain terms that your employees have to follow. Some of these include the following:
- The agreement will have to set a limit on how far, geographically, the agreement can be enforced. For example, it may prevent your employees from accepting a job with any competitor located within 50 miles of your main office.
- The agreement is for a limited duration. Most non-compete agreements are limited to two or three years. Anything longer than that and the courts would say it was too restrictive.
- It will outline the consequences of violating the agreement. This usually includes an injunction against your working for the other company. It also will demand a certain financial penalty.
The reason you have your employees sign this agreement is to protect your company. You don’t want employees leaving your company and taking clients to your competitor. The same thing goes for any proprietary information. You need to protect your trade secrets and that means you can’t allow your employees to give them away. Your Spartanburg private investigator will ask for any information you may have about your employee. This will help them identify the person and conduct their investigation.
Why Do You Think Your Employee Violated the Agreement?
If you’re thinking about hiring a Spartanburg private investigator, there must be a reason. Your ex-employee may have posted information on Facebook or Instagram that makes you think they’re working for a competitor. Or one of your clients may tell you they’ve been contacted by one of your old salespeople or managers. If this is the case, let your private investigator know.
They’ll take this information and build from it. They’ll search for information online and on social media to prove that they violated their non-compete. They’ll also go to the employee’s new job and prove that they are working there. They may take pictures or a video of the person entering or leaving the building. Or they may interview other employees who confirm your suspicions. Once they do that, it’s up to you to decide how you want to proceed.
Is it Worth Pursuing the Matter? Call an Experienced Spartanburg Private Investigator Today
If you find out that an ex-employee is working for a competitor, you’re going to be angry. This is especially true if that employee signed a non-compete agreement when they were with your company. The fact that they would go against the terms of the agreement is frustrating.
The problem is that you don’t know how to prove they did it. All you’re going off of are rumors you’ve heard that they’ve moved on with one of your direct competitors. A skilled Spartanburg private investigator can look into the matter for you and gather evidence for you. Once they get you the proof you need, what you do next is up to you.
To get the process started, you need to call our office and schedule your free consultation. Let us know what kind of information you’re looking for. Give us whatever information you’ve gathered thus far. Let them do the legwork so you can focus on running your business.