By: Nick Evans - March 6, 2025 4:45 am
Opponents got their chance Wednesday to weigh in on an Ohio Senate measure banning noncompete contracts in the state. The sponsors contend that tools like nondisclosure and nonsolicitation agreements as well as trade secrets law are more than enough to protect employers’ business and intellectual property.
But opponents argue that without post-employment restrictions, small employers would face a disadvantage with large ones, and rural employers would struggle to maintain their ranks.
They raised a handful of narrower critiques as well. Employers who cover benefits like relocation, tuition reimbursement, or visa sponsorship could be hesitant to offer them if workers could leave without penalty. Hospitals warned it could be more difficult to offer specialty care because of the front-end investment in equipment and support staff. Insurers argued noncompetes are important when an agency sells its business to ensure the seller doesn’t immediately open a new competing agency.
Despite the broader tenor of opposition, committee members did hear from a pair of supporters as well. The company Veeva Systems, which submitted written testimony previously showed up in person to reiterate their arguments.
Speaking on behalf of the company, Caleb Tuten argued noncompetes stifle mobility and entrepreneurship, depress wages and restrict employers’ access to the most talented employees.
Attorney Pete Friedman is the employment law chair with...
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