he wanted to open his own restaurant - he had to wait the proscribed year. When the year was over and he opened his new place he named it - My Way. He will open his fourth restaurant this summer.

Another friend was in business development for Life Sciences. He 'retired' for his proscribed year, discovered he hated being off. Now he works for a competitor and says he will never retire.

I also tried to hire a controller, who in the end declined the offer due to his no compete as his old employer threatened to sue him.

Interestingly in England they are called 'gardening leaves'. But they are paid. This arrangement makes sense and is equitable.