The fine print that follows you out the door: non-compete clauses are spreading

# Summary Non-compete clauses, originally designed to protect trade secrets for executives, have become widespread across OECD countries, covering 20-41% of private-sector workers including low-wage and entry-level employees with no access to confidential information. These clauses are often overly broad, extend beyond reasonable timeframes and geographic areas, and frequently lack any compensation, yet many workers don't challenge them due to enforcement uncertainty. The prevalence of these restrictions is hampering economic growth, wage mobility, and productivity, prompting some OECD countries to consider restricting their use.