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So Much For “Do No Evil”, Google | Shady Non-Compete Action

Google managers asked employees at the online ad company it acquired last month to sign one-year noncompete agreements.

Most agreed, thinking that it would spare their jobs — but then layoffs came a week later. They were "pretty pissed" over the bait-and-switch and were forced to find jobs outside their industry. The text of the noncompete is below.

8. Covenant Regarding Competition. I agree that for a period of one (1) year after my employment with the Company terminates, I shall not (a) engage in any employment, business or activity that is competitive with the Company's businesses; or (b) solicit business from, do business with or render services to, in any capacity, directly or indirectly, any entity that is or was a Company client or customer within the last twelve months of my employment with the Company, for a purpose or in a manner that is in any way competitive with the Company's business. If, during or after my employment with the Company, I seek work elsewhere, I agree to provide a copy of this Agreement to any person or entities seeking to hire me before accepting employment with or engagement by any such person or entity.

9. Solicitation of Employees. I agree that for a period of twelve (12) months immediately following thetermination of my relationship with the Company for any reason, whether with or without cause, I shall not either directly or indirectly solicit, induce, recruit or encourage any of the Company's employees to leave their employment, or take away such employees, or attempt to solicit, induce, recruit, encourage or take away employees of the Company, either for myself or for any other person or entity.

Via: Valleywag

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What next?

This was posted on Friday, April 11th, 2008 at 9:39 am. You can follow any responses through the RSS 2.0 feed.

8 responses to “So Much For “Do No Evil”, Google | Shady Non-Compete Action”

  1. § david tiley on May 12th, 2008 at 9:25 am

    I wouldn’t mind betting that agreement is not worth the paper it is written on. The employees were given no benefit for the deal and the company reneged on an implied contract of continuing employment.

    But it does mean finding a lawyer and making a fuss.

  2. § michelle p. on July 27th, 2008 at 4:32 pm

    Wow! I had no idea of this kind of manipulation & control tactics used by corporations today. Thanks a bunch for the ‘heads-up’ on this. Amazing, sad & eye-opening.

  3. § Jason@Atlanta SEO on September 5th, 2008 at 10:30 am

    Wow, thats just cold. I don’t buy Google’s do no evil policy. Its basically nothing more than a marketing scheme.

    Jasons last blog post..Nofollow Search Results…As Pure As The Wind Driven Snow

  4. § JD@Great Googley Moogley on September 29th, 2008 at 10:54 am

    That is sad but not totally surprising. I have a feeling a decent attorney can overcome that particular non compete. That would greatly impact the livelihood of most of those employees.

  5. § Carl@BellevillevMonstervInvasion on October 27th, 2008 at 12:28 pm

    I’ve had several friends hit hard by non-competes. I bet Google’s money will win out over the little guy. Sad to say it though.

  6. § Carl@BellevilleMonsterInvasion on October 27th, 2008 at 12:29 pm

    Come on, guys! Who can’t believe big money wins every time!

  7. § TP@Ice Cold Hyde on October 27th, 2008 at 12:32 pm

    I agree with JD that it\’s not surprising but that it can probably be overcome with a decent attorney. CA supreme court has already ruled non-competes unconstitutional.

  8. § steve@Credit Card Debt Settlement on February 27th, 2009 at 2:33 pm

    Google has become even bigger than big money. I dont doubt they will have the advantage in winning this.

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