• Investing
  • Stock
Round Table Thoughts
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Home Editor's Pick Biden administration bans noncompete agreements, setting up legal showdown with business groups
Editor's Pick

Biden administration bans noncompete agreements, setting up legal showdown with business groups

by April 24, 2024
by April 24, 2024 0 comment
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

The Biden administration has issued a nationwide ban on the ability of employers to make their workers sign noncompete agreements, a move regulators said would help boost employee pay but which is set to be challenged in court by business groups.

In a ruling Tuesday afternoon, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) said noncompete clauses would henceforth be illegal. The measure was necessary, it said, for ‘protecting the fundamental freedom of workers to change jobs, increasing innovation, and fostering new business formation.’

“Noncompete clauses keep wages low, suppress new ideas, and rob the American economy of dynamism,” said FTC chair Lina M. Khan in a statement. “The FTC’s final rule to ban noncompetes will ensure Americans have the freedom to pursue a new job, start a new business, or bring a new idea to market.”

The FTC estimates nearly one in five Americans are subject to noncompetes. They have grown increasingly common in lower wage or hourly work industries like fast food franchises, restaurants, and security firms, where some employers have sought to limit the ability of workers to effectively raise their pay by looking for work at competing establishments.

In addition to banning all new noncompetes, the FTC’s rule applies to all existing noncompete agreements. Employers will now have to provide notice to workers bound to a current noncompete that it will not be enforced against them.

The rule was hailed by labor groups and left-leaning policy experts.

‘Noncompetes are about reducing competition, full stop. It’s in their name,’ said Heidi Shierholz, president of the progressive nonprofit Economic Policy Institute. ‘Noncompetes are bad for workers, bad for consumers, and bad for the broader economy. This rule is an important step in creating an economy that is not only strong but also works for working people.’

The AFL-CIO, America’s largest labor group, praised the new rule in a post on X Tuesday, saying noncompete agreements ‘trap workers from finding better jobs, drive down wages, and stifle competition.’

But business groups are already hitting out at the ban, saying noncompetes are essential to protecting trade secrets and proprietary information. The groups also say noncompetes ultimately help workers by engendering a more collaborative firm environment and limiting so-called ‘free riders,’ or employees who seek to capitalize on a specific company’s methods and taking that knowledge elsewhere.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the country’s largest business lobby, said it plans to sue the FTC over the ruling. In a statement, it called the ban an ‘unlawful power grab.’

“This decision sets a dangerous precedent for government micromanagement of business and can harm employers, workers, and our economy,’ it said. 

Separately. a Dallas-based tax services firm filed a lawsuit in Texas federal court — which has proven hostile to Biden administration rulings — challenging not only the ban but the very structure of the FTC itself.

‘We stand firm in our commitment to serve the rightful interest of every company to retain its proprietary formulas for success taught in good faith to its own employees,” said chairman and CEO G. Brint Ryan said in a statement.

The FTC’s rule is set to go into effect in August, but is unlikely to be enforced until the court challenges are resolved, something that could take years.

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS
You Might Also Like
  • Employers added 206,000 jobs in June as sturdy labor market gradually cools
  • Auto insurance rates are jumping the most since the 1970s, but there could be relief soon
  • RTX, GE Aerospace expect more than $1 billion tariff impact
  • babyark Launches the World’s Safest Car Seat at the 2023 Consumer Electronics Show
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

previous post
New stealthy submarine glider set for autonomous undersea missions
next post
Pinpoint the Next Buying Opportunity in SPY

You may also like

Want to bet against Trump Media stock? It’ll cost you

April 6, 2024

Dow slips for first losing day in nine as consumers’...

May 15, 2024

Babies R Us is back: Here’s why Kohl’s is betting...

August 2, 2024

Restaurants fight back against the FTC crackdown on ‘junk fees’...

August 26, 2024

Kraft Heinz recalls 83,800 cases of Singles American cheese slices

September 22, 2023

Boeing to plead guilty to criminal fraud charge stemming from...

July 8, 2024

Retail sales slumped 0.9% in January, down much more than...

February 15, 2025

DOJ and FTC warn consumers of fraud and price gouging...

October 10, 2024

If you faced a tax penalty during the pandemic, the...

December 21, 2023

McDonald’s aims to open nearly 9,000 restaurants, add 100 million...

December 7, 2023

    Stay updated with the latest news, exclusive offers, and special promotions. Sign up now and be the first to know! As a member, you'll receive curated content, insider tips, and invitations to exclusive events. Don't miss out on being part of something special.


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Recent Posts

    • Krispy Kreme stock plunges after doughnut chain pauses McDonald’s rollout, pulls outlook

      May 8, 2025
    • Don’t Buy Robinhood Stock… Until You See This Chart Setup

      May 8, 2025
    • UnitedHealthcare sued by shareholders over reaction to CEO’s killing

      May 8, 2025
    • The Unpredictable Stock Market: How to Make Sense of It

      May 8, 2025
    • AMD CEO calls China a ‘large opportunity’ and warns against strict U.S. chip controls

      May 7, 2025

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be...

      June 27, 2024 2,632 views
    • 2

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as...

      August 9, 2024 2,339 views
    • 3

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese...

      June 25, 2024 2,320 views
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful...

      July 10, 2024 2,303 views
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility...

      August 29, 2024 2,186 views

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,066)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,530)

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be revived under new House GOP bill

      June 27, 2024
    • 2

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as Harris camp blasts ‘lying’ critics

      August 9, 2024
    • 3

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese businesses to Delaware: ‘Longtime friends’

      June 25, 2024
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful of Chinese spy threats

      July 10, 2024
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility that collaborated with ‘Chinese military company’

      August 29, 2024

    Latest News

    • Krispy Kreme stock plunges after doughnut chain pauses McDonald’s rollout,...

      May 8, 2025
    • Don’t Buy Robinhood Stock… Until You See This Chart Setup

      May 8, 2025
    • UnitedHealthcare sued by shareholders over reaction to CEO’s killing

      May 8, 2025

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,066)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,530)

    Disclaimer: RoundTableThoughts.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2024 RoundTableThoughts.com. All Rights Reserved.

    Round Table Thoughts
    • Investing
    • Stock
    Round Table Thoughts
    • Economy
    • Editor’s Pick

    Read alsox

    Honda recalls 750,000 U.S. vehicles over...

    February 8, 2024

    Malls are using new restaurants to...

    December 20, 2024

    Tens of thousands of Las Vegas...

    November 6, 2023
    Sign In

    Keep me signed in until I sign out

    Forgot your password?

    Password Recovery

    A new password will be emailed to you.

    Have received a new password? Login here