The board of directors for the
Wisconsin Technology Council has voted to oppose two bills that would place new
limits on the ability of employees to take new jobs or start their own
businesses.
The board voted unanimously among
members present to oppose Senate Bill 69 and its companion bill, Assembly Bill
91, which were introduced in the spring to tighten existing law related to
employee “non-compete” contracts and similar restrictive employment covenants.
Following a discussion at the
board’s July 14 meeting, members concluded existing Wisconsin law is sufficient
to protect the rights of employers and employees alike – especially on matters
of intellectual property. Here are excerpts from a board resolution:
“The
Tech Council believes SB 69 would unduly upset the balance in employee-employer
relations. It would make movement of talent more difficult, not only within
Wisconsin, but from markets outside Wisconsin to the state. Talented prospects
from outside the state would be less likely to pursue and accept positions in
Wisconsin if they suspected a covenant not to compete would restrict their
future movement and earning power within Wisconsin.
“In
addition, more restrictive non-compete laws in Wisconsin would run counter to
national trends. A 2011 study by the Harvard Business School and the University
of North Carolina concluded that non-complete agreements can exacerbate “brain
drain” by driving away talent, particularly in high-tech fields and companies,
to states with less restrictive covenants.
“The
Tech Council board of directors therefore strongly opposes SB 69 and AB 91 as
unnecessary and counter-productive to building an innovation economy.”
Click here to read the full resolution
;
