Gordon Springate

This Bill supports, what I call, “individual freedom to work”. I fully support the enactment of this Bill. Non-compete clauses, except in very limited cases, are a form of Communism by Employer. Non-compete clauses are a “lose-lose” for patients; can disrupt continuity of care and limit a patient’s access to care, or prevent optimal care if, for example, a nurse is prohibited in speaking about unsafe conditions. Nurses are the most important staff for patient well-being. These clauses stifle competition (which is why I call them “Communism by Employers”), which increases total health care costs across the country. Non-compete clauses reduce the ability for nurses to seek their maximum remuneration; which is a form of servitude. If an employer wants to retain nursing staff, they can do this with improved staff engagement, transparency of care, a high quality working environment, including shift practices, and ensuring their staff is optimally rewarded. I am not sure if this Bill includes non-profits, but they should be included. A non-profit should not be allowed to have non-compete clauses either. Good luck.