What can a non-compete agreement NOT prevent in Ohio?

In Ohio, non-compete agreements are generally intended to protect a business's legitimate interests by restricting certain actions and movements of employees after their employment ends. However, they cannot completely prevent an employee from pursuing their career, as such limitations on an individual's right to work and earn a living are closely scrutinized. Non-compete agreements must be reasonable in scope and duration to be enforceable. If they overly restrict an employee's ability to find employment in their field or apply their skills, they may be deemed unreasonable and thus unenforceable.

The rationale behind this is rooted in public policy, which values an individual's freedom to work and the mobility of labor. Therefore, while an employer can set certain boundaries around competitive behaviors, the law protects employees' rights to seek opportunities and utilize their skills in the job market, promoting overall employment and economic growth.

In contrast, the other options involve aspects that a non-compete agreement can address, such as preventing a business from hiring from a competitor, limiting an employee's ability to share proprietary information, or restricting a business's entry into new markets as part of a protective strategy against competition. However, these limitations must still be reasonable and not excessively broad or ambiguous.