Unit 05
Non-Compete Clauses
職場攻略/市場業務
Workplace English/Communication skills
BRAIN STORM
Share your ideas with your teacher and try to make sentences.
What do you think is a noncomplete clause?
VOCABULARY
Repeat these sentences after your teacher.
1. non-compete clause (phr.) 非競爭條款
As you can see, there is a non-complete clause.
如您所見，這裡有一個非競爭條款。
2. enforceable (v.) 強制執行的
Obedience is enforceable.
服從是可以強制執行的。
3. terminated (v.) 使終結
Follow the contract or it will be terminated.
遵守合同，否則它將被終止。
4. shed some more light (phr.) 更清楚的闡明
Can you shed some more light to the problem?
您能否進一步闡明這個問題？
5. exceptions (n.) 例外
Always manage your expectations.
始終滿足您的期望。
6. charitable (adj.) 慈善的
Make the event charitable.
使活動成為慈善活動。
7. nature of (phr.) 本質，本性
Do you know the nature of the problem?
您知道問題的本質嗎？
Dialogue
Read the dialogue aloud with your teacher.
Sarah, I’m thrilled to join the firm. But before I sign the contract, can you clarify a few questions I have regarding the non-compete clause?
Sarah，我很高興能加入你們公司。但是在我簽合同之前，能請你把幾個關於非競爭條款的問題澄清一下嗎？
Of course.
當然可以。
What is the time period during which this clause is enforceable?
這個條款在什麼時間段內是強制執行的？
This period starts from the time you sign this contract until two years after your contract has been terminated.
執行日期自你簽署合同之日開始至你合同到期後的兩年結束。
Can you also clarify the part that mentions restricted activities in restricted territories? Can you explain what these activities are and in which territories?
能請你也解釋一下提到的受限領域的受限活動嗎？你能解釋一下這些活動是什麼，並在哪些領域受限嗎？
The restricted activities consist of anything that involves your engagement, directly or indirectly, with a competing business. The restricted territories are anywhere in the US or abroad in which our company is doing business at the time.
受限活動包括你直接或間接參與行業競爭的活動。受限領域包括美國所有地區以及國外有我們公司目前業務所及的地區。
It was my understanding that the non-compete clause is unenforceable in California. Can you shed some more light on that?
我的理解是，非競爭條款在加利福尼亞州是非強制執行的。能請你進一步闡明情況嗎？
That is correct. Although sometimes when non-compete clauses are taken to court, the State of California can uphold some sections of the clause to be enforceable.
你說的沒錯。但是有時候非競爭條款在出庭作證的時候，加州也被列入強制執行的範圍之內。
Can you also clarify what precisely are restricted businesses?
你能再澄清一下受限業務具體是指什麼嗎？
That’s any business or organization involved in our business sector. Essentially, any of our competitors. For your reference, the names of our top competitors are explicitly listed under restricted businesses.
這是指牽涉到我們企業部門的任何業務或組織。本質上來講，是指任何我們的競爭對手。供你參考，我們最強的競爭對手明確的在受限業務上是榜上有名。
Can you tell me more about the exceptions section?
那你能再解釋一下免責條款裡面的內容嗎？
There are three exceptions to this clause. First, we have the ownership of stock. This means you are not restricted to own a small percentage of stock in any public corporation. Second, we have charitable activities.
That means nothing in this agreement shall restrict you from participating in any charitable activities.Third, we have the nature of the termination. This means if our company laid you off without a cause, these restrictions don’t apply to you. Also, if you give us your resignation with a very good reason, these restrictions will not apply to you.
這個條款裡有三項免責條款。首先是股票所有權，意思是你在其它任何的公營公司擁有小額股票都是不受限制的。第二是慈善活動，你可以參加任何的慈善活動。
第三點是終止性，意思是如果我們公司無理由要裁掉你，這些限制在你身上不適用。而且，如果你遞交辭呈的時候理由充分，這些限制也不適用於你。
Is there a section that addresses the damages for breaching this agreement?
有哪個部分提到違反這份協議的後果嗎？
Yes, they are on the last page of the contract. Do you want me to go over them with you?
有的，在合同的最後一頁。你想讓我念給你聽嗎？
No, thanks. I can read them through on my own.
不用了，我可以自己看。
Grammar
Usage of Non
Non is a prefix that means not. It can indicate negation, refusal, failure, exclusion or lack of. The example form the dialogue is “non-compete.” It simply means, “to not compete.”
1.Let’s sit in the nonsmoking section.
2. Do you know of any non-governmental organizations that handle environmental issues?
3. He works at a non-profit organization.
DISCUSSION
Make a conversation with your teacher.
1.Have you ever seen a contract before? What do you think are the important words / things that a contract must have?
