Non-Compete Agreements in Puerto Rico

By Robert A. Fleming- Business Attorney Puerto Rico

Labor employment: The Non Compete Agreement

Along with confidentiality agreements, covenants not to compete help companies protect their private information and limit unfair competition from employees who leave.  If your company does business in Puerto Rico is important to understand that the courts in  Puerto Rico disfavor  non-compete clauses.

Article II sec. 16, of the Constitution of Puerto Rico recognizes the right of every worker to choose his occupation and freely resign. To protect  this freedom of choice,  courts have narrowly interpreted non-compete clauses and imposed strict requirements for their validity.  When these are not met, the contract is deemed invalid and unenforceable.

Valid non-compete clauses require that:

The employer have a legitimate interest in the agreement, that is, of not receiving the protection of a non-compete agreement, the business would be substantially affected. The magnitude of this interest is measured, in light of the position of the employee within the company. That is, the existence of the employer’s interest will be directly related and dependent on the employee given his/her the position in the company, can  effectively compete with the employer in the future.

The scope of the prohibition must correspond to the interest of the employer, as to object and place restriction term or affected customers. The purpose of the ban should be limited to activities similar to those conducted by the employer, need not be limited to specific functions used. The term non-compete should not exceed twelve months, understanding that any additional time is excessive and unnecessary to adequately protect the employer.

Regarding the scope of the prohibition, the contract must specify the geographic boundaries or affected customers. As for the geographical area to which the restriction applies, it should be limited to the strictly necessary to prevent real competition between the employer and employee. When the non-competition concerns customers should refer only to those who personally attended the employee for a reasonable period of time before giving up, and in doing so, or in a period immediately preceding the withdrawal, clients were still employer. These elements are evaluated in mind the nature of the industry involved and the possible related public interest.

The employer must offer something in return for signing the non-compete agreement by the employee. This consideration may be, for example, in obtaining a promotion, additional benefits at work or enjoyment of any similar substantial changes in employment conditions. Even serious enough consideration a candidate obtains the desired job in the company. However, there shall be allowed as a cause of non-compete agreement mere continued employment.

Non-compete agreements, as with any contract, must have the essential elements for validity: consent, object and cause. Article 1213 of the Civil Code, 31 LPRA sec. 3391. However, in this type of contract will be especially strict to ensure that the employee freely and voluntarily signed the non-compete agreement. Undue pressure or coercion by the employer will make it invalid and unenforceable.

In sum, the elements of a valid non-competition agreement in Puerto Rico  are: (1.) The employer must have a legitimate interest in the agreement; (2.) the scope of the prohibition in the non-compete must fit the employer’s interest but not exceed twelve months; (3.) The employer shall offer a consideration in exchange for the employee signing the non-competition covenant other than mere job tenure; (4.) Non-competition agreements must be valid contracts; (5.) Non-competition covenants must be in writing.

For further information, see: Arthur Young, 137 D.P.R. 40, 94 J.T.S. 75.