I got a job offer last week in a contract research organization (CRO). The company is a start-up. However, when they sent me the contract there were several clauses. One of them is if I join their company and later quit the job, I would not be able to join any other competing company in the next 4 years, or employ the skills and knowledge that I am going to know from them.
On the day of the interview itself, we talked about their patent and how they are going to use that in the future etc. I am wondering whether in the contract they mean that it is regarding the knowledge transfer of the patent or altogether any skill that I acquire through their company? If it is patent related then that makes sense. However, I do not understand whether it is also not allowed if I acquire any skill in their company I would not be able to use it for other companies in the future.
Also, I really do not understand whom they meant as their competitors as that is not specified. If I join another company and that is a CRO too they might object.
My questions are:
Whether these clauses are normal or not in a company?
Whether I should ask them what they mean by competitors?
