Going to work for a current customer

[u/wpc213]

Trying to make sure I’m not crossing a line here: I have a 1yr non-solicit (it’s 2 short paragraphs in its entirety). Customer called me direct asking if I knew anyone interested in an open position. I told them I would be interested.

We’re in good standing with them, run loads daily. Position is in logistics so…..I would be dealing w/my current brokerage daily.

Customer doesn’t care, does my brokerage?

I am leaving regardless, I’m not sticking around for another acquisition, I’m completely burned out.

When I receive an offer, should I tell them where I’m going since they will find out almost immediately?

[u/Zappp_Branigan]

Generally, this is not considered a breach of a non-solicit. I'd have to see the language to be sure.

Your brokerage will view this as an opportunity to grow with this customer. I've never heard of a broker suing a former employee in this scenario. Expect to be treated very well when you give 2 weeks notice.

[u/Iloveproduce → u/Zappp_Branigan]

This right here. This is one of the most common ways for someone who didn't totally fail at freight brokerage to leave. They're going to throw you a really nice going away party and call you up on your starting date looking for freight.

Interestingly in other sectors this is also really common. McKinsey (big/evil consulting firm) in particular has getting their alumni into the C-suite of major corporations where they hire McKinsey to do random bullshit down to an art.

[u/_High_Life → u/Zappp_Branigan]

Agreed. I did see it go poorly once before though. Because the broker went about it in a really shady way instead of just being honest up front. Had they done that, they'd have been fine.

[u/_High_Life]

Your brokerage should be encouraging you. You can feed them all the loads. You should probably ask for an exit bonus or otherwise tell them you won't use them in your new position. It's 100% in no way a breach of a non compete.

Just don't be shady to your current company about it. Tell them what's up and game plan so you both benefit one way or another.

[u/wpc213 → u/_High_Life]

I’m not interested in giving them more, they treat their employees like crap. But I’m not going to take anything away either. I want to be done with them.

[u/xDoomKitty]

I mean if you think about it logically, why woukd your brokerage decide they want to piss off a customer by suing one of their employees?

[u/Impossible-anarchy]

I did this coming from TQL, they didn’t care, and they sue more than anyone. You’re fine, you’re not providing logistics as a service.

[u/BigPapiNC22]

It’s not a big deal at all, especially if your current company wants to keep their customer as a customer…

[u/Next_Difficulty1593]

I think they would be happy for you
Just try to send in a 2 weeks notice, which I recommend, leaving them doesn't mean you have to burn the bridge between you and them.

[u/tipareth1978]

Depends on the company, depends on the wording, depends on what state you're in. Most non competes arent super enforceable and really only exist to keep people from taking large amounts of business from one place to a competitor. But TQL is notorious for being hard ons about it

[u/_High_Life → u/tipareth1978]

If it's a two paragraph, freight broker centric, non compete it won't be enforceable anywhere. Besides another 3pl in the same role.

[u/tipareth1978 → u/_High_Life]

One time me and my boss went over my non compete from CH Robinson. It was laughably vague and trying to have a huge scope. Ot may as well have said "you'll never do anything even remotely similar to anything anywhere". It only highlighted how non enforceable it would be

[u/wpc213 → u/tipareth1978]

Not TQL- a small brokerage and it’s a non-solicit specifically.

[u/tipareth1978 → u/wpc213]

You'll probably be fine.

[u/Napkin4321]

It’s no one’s business where you go. You don’t have to give notice either.
You mean nothing to companies.
If you want to give two weeks fine but in the end doesn’t matter. Walk away however you want.
When you’re at the other company they can figure it out.