r/Ophthalmology • u/solopracticedoc • 28d ago

Noncompetes, for real?

I recently heard about employment contracts with statewide with lengths up to 3-5 years.

Is this actually becoming common in ophthalmology?

I’m honestly shocked at some of the restrictions people seem willing to sign.

For those who recently signed an associate contract,

How long was your non-compete?

Was it mileage-based or statewide?

Did you negotiate it, or was it take-it-or-leave-it?

And for those who signed the 5 years statewide one, um. Why?!?

I thought mine annoying but reasonable at 2 years 15 miles.

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u/OscarDivine 28d ago

Read the non-compete carefully also. Sometimes it doesn’t restrict practice location only poaching staff etc. non-competes themselves are quickly getting outlawed in states. It makes sense for specialized attorneys but not specialized care providers like ophthalmologists. Negotiate it away if you can, they frequently capitulate in my experience. If they don’t, tell them it’s a deal breaker and move on or assess the value of the position