Michael G. Brady, a partner with Warner Norcross + Judd LLP, discussed employee agreements in the Crain's Detroit Business annual Intellectual Property issue in an article titled, "What's driving the uptick in IP Litigation?"
According to Crain's, the Intellectual Property environment has become more litigious which can be a sign of a slowing economy as businesses work more aggressively to protect their assets. At the same time, with employee poaching on the rise, especially when talent is at a premium like it is in automotive and software engineering, companies need to put protective safe measures in place to ensure their trade secrets and confidential information doesn't walk out the door when employees do.
"Companies are poaching employees all the time, so you're going to lose people," Brady told the publication. "In the last couple of years, we've seen an uptick in litigation over employees leaving and (bringing) trade secrets."
Brady encouraged companies to limit employee access to data and require workers who have that access to sign confidentiality agreements. Businesses can also use noncompete agreements, which prohibit employees from working for a competitor for a set amount of time.
He also suggested new employers be on guard not to allow incoming employees to bring confidential information from their old employer into their new company.
Subscribers to Crain's Detroit Business can read the full story HERE.
