If an employee’s knowledge or expertise or contacts can make or break a company within a given domain (industry, geography, etc.) then sure, have them sign a non-compete – and compensate them appropriately for their added value. This, on the other hand, is a “because we can” corporate arsehole power move that’s more about using fear to lock employees into crappy, low-wage jobs (see also the U.S. health insurance system).
Put another way, if your ditch digger or sandwich maker is so bloody vital to your business that you simply must have them sign a non-compete, you’d better pay them a lot more than $10-15/hr.
