The Federal Trade Commission on Tuesday banned employers from limiting their workers’ abilities to work for rivals, a sweeping change that the agency says could help raise wages and increase competition among businesses.
The move bars contracts known as noncompetes, which prevent workers from leaving for a competitor for a certain amount of time, in most circumstances.
The agency has said the proposal would raise wages by forcing companies to compete harder for talent.
The proposal was approved by the agency in a 3-to-2 vote.
She estimated the decision would lead to 8,500 new start-ups created in a year.
Persons:
Melissa Holyoak, Andrew N, Ferguson, ’, Lina M, Khan
Organizations:
Federal Trade Commission