Joshua A. Hawks-Ladds Quoted in PBN on Uncertainty Over Noncompete Agreements

Pullman & Comley's Labor and Employment practice Co-chair Joshua A. Hawks-Ladds was featured in the Providence Business News article, “Conflicting Signals From State and Federal Authorities Over Noncompete Agreements Leave Business Community Uncertain.” The article covered the ongoing legal uncertainty around noncompete agreements, highlighting the mix of state-level vetoes and federal court decisions that leave employers and employees unsure about what is enforceable. Once a routine tool to protect trade secrets, noncompete clauses now face growing legal challenges, creating confusion for businesses and workers in Rhode Island and nationwide.

Josh described the situation as “confusing and highly fluid.” He explained, “The FTC tried to ban all noncompetes, but that rule is in legal limbo. Some people wrongly believe there’s already a national ban. There isn’t. This is still a state-by-state issue.” Speaking to the economic implications for smaller states, he noted, “In a tiny state like Rhode Island, with a smaller job market, a noncompete can cover almost the entire state. If a hospital worker in Wakefield is restricted from working elsewhere within 40 miles, it effectively pushes a skilled worker out of Rhode Island.” Josh also highlighted the broader impact on talent recruitment, saying, “Large companies want to be where there’s access to top talent. Noncompetes can send the wrong signal, especially in a small economy like Rhode Island’s. It can hurt the state’s reputation and make recruiting harder.”

To read the full article, please visit the Providence Business News website.