[CaptainJack]

The UK has had a government call for evidence on the subject of non-compete, with the aim of limiting them as well, but nothing has been done so far.

I'm myself in the long, lengthy and costly process of trying to fight a two years non-compete (well, 1yr garden leave + 1yr non-compete), and it's taxing. It adds stress, makes it harder to market yourself, and on top of that there is this clear asymmetry where the costs if it was to go to high court (£150k) would be huge for you, but petty change for your employer. On top of that, they'd get to claim these as expenses (so pre-tax), but you couldn't get any kind of tax-credit (so effectively post-tax). System is biased, it's about time they would change it.

[yrgulation]

Thats interesting, i never heard of or met anyone in the uk with a non compete clause and always assumed it is a non issue.

[omginternets]

Fwiw, I worked in the UK for several years and noncompetes were absolutely standard. Moreover, they appear to be enforceable.