'Widespread prevalence' | Watchdog backs limits on 'non-compete' clauses preventing third of UK staff from switching jobs

Almost a third of UK employees are subject to ‘non-compete’ clauses that make it harder to switch jobs, according to new government research.

The new study from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) found that non-compete clauses - which stop employees from working at a competitor firm for a set amount of time after their employment ends - impact around 30% of workers.

This percentage increases to over 40% in ICT and professional and scientific services, the CMA said.

The report finds that non-competes are prevalent across the UK economy, even in sectors where one would not expect firms to need to protect their intellectual property – in retail, education, and food services, for example, around 20% of workers have non-compete clauses in their contracts.