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Washington state bill may tackle temp worker noncompetes

February 02, 2016

A bill in Washington state would void some employment noncompete agreements with temporary or seasonal employees and independent contractors. The bill by Rep. Derek Stanford, a Democrat, would add other restrictions as well.

It is set to be discussed today in the Washington House Committee on Labor and Workplace Standards. Another bill by Rep. Matt Manweller, a Republican, that would void some noncompetes for just a few professions such as hair designers, drywall applicators, musicians and people who work in fast-food restaurants. It could as more occupations as well.

GeekWire reports noncompete agreements are an issue in Washington state because of Microsoft and Amazon have used such agreements. “For high-level managers, CEOs and vice presidents who are in charge of proprietary business strategy, non-compete agreements could be reasonable,” GeekWire quotes Stanford. “But leave the little guys out of this. Leave out the temporary workers, the mid-level managers, the young and bright entrepreneurs who will take their skills and start ‘the next big thing.’”