I was approached by competing company to work for them. I didn't sign a Non-compete Agreement, but the handbook has a Conflict of interest Clause. Are these the same? Are they both equally binding or could I quit and work for the competitor?
Answers (1)
You are in conflict of interest if you serve another entity regarding essentially the same task or problem. You may not discuss of disclose things related to the nature of your work assignments outside your company or risk termination and possibly legal action.
By non-compete is meant that within the time stipulated or while you are employed, you may not start or be engaged in any enterprise (for money) that essentially sells the same service or product.
Competition could be construed as conflict of interest; but conflict of interest does not imply competition. That is why distinct clauses in the contract so that they are treated as if separate and distinct one from the other, but similar in the respect that you may not act or seek to act in a manner that could be detrimental to your company and your labor contract with them.