Employers often try to protect their business by the use of restraints of trade in employment contracts. This area of employment law has been controversial as it limits the capacity of the employee to engage freely in the workforce. However, the law permits employers to restrain employees particularly when the employee attempts to use the employer’s property to its detriment.

How long can an employer restrain an employee? This is by no means certain. It depends upon the particular knowledge or information an employee may have gained by working for the employer, even if the employee created the “property” of the employer. Nicholas Dibb Solicitors can advise you on the use of restraints of trade.