I resigned from my company and HR is requiring me to sign a exit document certifying I'm not taking any trade secrets, customer lists, etc. and won't poach employees for 18 months.
My spouse, who is a lawyer (but not employment law), told me not to sign it. That they can't compel me to sign it, it's essentially another contract upon exit.
I understand how companies get you to sign all the agreements (non-compete, etc) when you start a job, it's a condition of employment. But once you are leaving, do they expect most employees to sign these new agreements? If these terms were not in my original employment contract (they were not) why should I sign them?
I don't want to cause trouble, but my spouse says I give away my signature too easily. I guess one caveat is my final paycheck won't come until the regularly scheduled pay day two weeks after I leave, so perhaps they could withhold paying me.