Fast food worker Caitlin Turowski had this much in common with high-paid CEOs: When she quit her job, she couldn't work for a competitor.

Hired as a delivery driver for sandwich maker Jimmy John's and later made an assistant manager, Turowski said she signed a two-year non-competition agreement banning her from working for sandwich-making rivals within three miles of a Jimmy John's store. Burned out by long hours and low pay, Turowski quit in July, then took a pay cut to work in insurance telemarketing. She could earn more waitressing or bartending, but fears being sued.

"We're struggling," said Turowski, now a plaintiff challenging alleged wage violations and the non-compete agreement.

Non-competition agreements are better known in contracts for senior executives who have business secrets of interest to competitors. However, court records show the restrictions have also snared maids in Chicago, a nail stylist in Texas, cable TV installers in Michigan and agricultural workers in Washington. In October, Democrats in Congress asked the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and Department of Labor to investigate.

The agreements for low-wage workers might trap them in their current jobs, allowing their employers to pay them lower salaries, experts said. "It has a chilling effect on people actually going out and trying to seek jobs because they fear getting sued," said Kathleen Chavez, an attorney for Turowski and others. "This is not like a high-wage, skilled worker who says, `OK, let them sue me. I'll defend myself.'"

Employers might seek noncompetition agreements because they fear losing money training a worker who quits or who brings business secrets to a rival.

"You certainly wouldn't want anyone to know in the competitive landscape what's around the corner," Home Depot spokesman Stephen Holmes said. The retailer signs non-competes with senior executives.

Researchers say there's evidence non-competes limit pay for executives, and the same trend could hold for the rank-and-file.

"If you can't leave, you don't have leverage," said Matthew Marx, a professor at MIT's Sloan School of Management.

States differ on enforcement. Almost three dozen states allow judges to rewrite defective non-competition agreements, according to Russell Beck, a corporate law attorney who conducts national reviews. In a few states, he said, judges can strike problematic restrictions but keep the rest of the deal. Just under half-a-dozen states require that judges completely toss non-compete agreements if any part of it is legally flawed. Three states ban the agreements.

See the article here:
Scrutiny for worker non-compete clauses

By RAY HENRY Associated Press

ATLANTA (AP) - Fast food worker Caitlin Turowski had this much in common with high-paid CEOs: When she quit her job, she couldn't work for a competitor.

Hired as a delivery driver for sandwich maker Jimmy John's and later made an assistant manager, Turowski said she signed a two-year non-competition agreement banning her from working for sandwich-making rivals within three miles of a Jimmy John's store. Burned out by long hours and low pay, Turowski quit in July, then took a pay cut to work in insurance telemarketing. She could earn more waitressing or bartending, but fears being sued.

"We're struggling," said Turowski, now a plaintiff challenging alleged wage violations and the non-compete agreement.

Non-competition agreements are better known in contracts for senior executives who have business secrets of interest to competitors. However, court records show the restrictions have also snared maids in Chicago, a nail stylist in Texas, cable TV installers in Michigan and agricultural workers in Washington. In October, Democrats in Congress asked the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and Department of Labor to investigate.

The agreements for low-wage workers might trap them in their current jobs, allowing their employers to pay them lower salaries, experts said. "It has a chilling effect on people actually going out and trying to seek jobs because they fear getting sued," said Kathleen Chavez, an attorney for Turowski and others. "This is not like a high-wage, skilled worker who says, 'OK, let them sue me. I'll defend myself.'"

Employers might seek noncompetition agreements because they fear losing money training a worker who quits or who brings business secrets to a rival.

"You certainly wouldn't want anyone to know in the competitive landscape what's around the corner," Home Depot spokesman Stephen Holmes said. The retailer signs non-competes with senior executives.

Researchers say there's evidence non-competes limit pay for executives, and the same trend could hold for the rank-and-file.

"If you can't leave, you don't have leverage," said Matthew Marx, a professor at MIT's Sloan School of Management.

Here is the original post:
Scrutiny on worker non-compete deals - Quincy Herald-Whig | Illinois & Missouri News, Sports

House Cleaning Services Philadelphia ,PA | (215) 297-6677 | House Maid Cleaners
Call US (215) 297-6677 today to get a quote for house cleaning maid services in town. We do all types of housekeeping, house cleaning and our house cleaners are the best in Philadelphia ,PA.

By: Walter Walker

Go here to read the rest:
House Cleaning Services Philadelphia ,PA | (215) 297-6677 | House Maid Cleaners - Video

House Cleaning Services New York ,NY | (646) 751-7906 | House Maid Cleaners
Call US (646) 751-7906 today to get a quote for house cleaning maid services in town. We do all types of housekeeping, house cleaning and our house cleaners are the best in New York ,NY.

By: Peter Carter

Read more here:
House Cleaning Services New York ,NY | (646) 751-7906 | House Maid Cleaners - Video

House Cleaning Services Manhattan ,NY | (646) 751-7906 | House Maid Cleaners
Call US (646) 751-7906 today to get a quote for house cleaning maid services in town. We do all types of housekeeping, house cleaning and our house cleaners are the best in Manhattan ,NY.

By: Emily Thomas

See the rest here:
House Cleaning Services Manhattan ,NY | (646) 751-7906 | House Maid Cleaners - Video

House Cleaning Services Oklahoma City ,OK | (405) 303-9193 | House Maid Cleaners
Call US (405) 303-9193 today to get a quote for house cleaning maid services in town. We do all types of housekeeping, house cleaning and our house cleaners are the best in Oklahoma City ,OK.

By: Patricia Simmons

See the article here:
House Cleaning Services Oklahoma City ,OK | (405) 303-9193 | House Maid Cleaners - Video

Maid Naturally House Cleaning Maid Services WA
Maid Naturally is a Unique Maid Service created in Spokane, WA. They vacuum clean and hand-wash all floors and baseboards and also clean windows. To know mor...

By: David Olmstead

Here is the original post:
Maid Naturally House Cleaning Maid Services WA - Video

Maid Services Participation

Do you believe that you can make a difference? We believe in the difference that a clean house can make. Cancer is isolating enough, but our cleaning partners are welcomed into the homes of women with cancer, where they help to make it a place to heal and invite others in.

The foundation was officially formed in May 2006 as a Texas non-profit corporation that recruits maid services to partner with us to clean homes at no charge for women undergoing any type of cancer treatment. We provide services in all 50 states and Canada.

As a Partner, you donate two general cleanings per month. You will take on two patients at a time, each of whom you service once a month for four consecutive months. Patients do not expect deep cleanings or spring cleanings; you decide on the scope of each cleaning.

Do you own a maid service and would like to donate your time? Work for one? Our partner recruiter will contact you to further discuss the details and benefits of partnership.

If you are not quite ready to complete the full application, please utilize our Maid Service Inquiry form and our partner recruiter will contact you shortly.

2013 All Rights Reserved | CleaningForAReason.org

More:
Cleaning for a Reason Maid Services

So, ten lords a-leaping, six geese a-laying, three French hens and a partridge in a pear tree aren't on your Christmas list this year. If they were, it would cost you more than five gold rings, anyway.

According to the Christmas Price Index compiled by PNC Wealth Management, buying the gifts listed in the iconic "12 Days of Christmas" song would cost well over $100,000.

So we thought a Peninsula-based version might be in order. As for me, I'd take tickets to "Dancing with the Stars, Live" at the Ferguson Center for the Arts over nine hypothetical ladies dancing any day.

First Day of Christmas

This year, for once, let's help out that partridge in the pear tree with the Squirrel Buster bird feeder at Countryside Gardens in Hampton.

Designed for backyard birds, the cage-like feeder protects the bird seed from unwanted feasters. The bird feeder costs

Countryside Gardens. 220 E. Mercury Blvd., Hampton. 757-722-9909. Countrysidegardens.biz.

Second Day of Christmas

Sure, you could go for a pair of turtle doves, but that seems a bit messy. I much prefer turtles and doves in their chocolate candy version, and, for that, one should head to the Wythe Candy Shop in Colonial Williamsburg.

From Belgian chocolate penguins to presidential PEZ dispensers, Wythe has all of the sugary deliciousness that you just can't find in Walmart's candy aisle.

Read the original:
Savvy Shopper's guide to the 12 days of Christmas on the Peninsula

TIME Newsfeed Holidays 10 Super Last-Minute Holiday Gifts That No One Will Know Were Last Minute Getty Images From a relaxing trip to the spa to a thrilling skydiving adventure, gift ideas for everybody on your list

If you procrastinated on your holiday shopping or simply just forgot Christmas was a thing, dont panic. Weve got you covered with 10 ideas for gifts that a) do not require setting foot in a store and b) do not require paying any kind of expedited delivery fees.

Boom. Nobody will know you almost forgot to get them something this year.

1. Healthy snack box subscription: For a health food enthusiast or for that one person whos always trying to eat healthier, send a monthly box of edible goodies. (Love With Food: $36 for three months; NatureBox: $40 for two months)

2. Netflix, Hulu or Spotify subscription: For that person in your life who is always mooching off your TV and music streaming services, just get them their own account. (Netflix: $47.94 for six months; Hulu Plus: $47.94 for six months; Spotify Premium: $59.94 for six months)

3. Museum membership: Great for an art, culture or history enthusiast who is always meaning to go to their favorite museum more often. (Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City: $110 for one year individual membership; The Field Museum in Chicago: $85 for one year individual membership; Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles: $85 for one year individual membership)

4. Beauty product subscription box: For the woman (or man!) in your life who still hasnt found the beauty products that work best for her (or him), give a monthly delivery of different serums, pomades, polishes and colognes to try. (Birchbox: $30 for three months for women / $60 for three months for men; Goodebox: $54 for three months)

5. Maid service: This might sound boring, but think about how great a gift this really is: allowing someone to start off the new year with a super-clean house that they didnt have to clean themselves. (Molly Maid: Gift cards available starting at $100)

6. Charity gift card: Instead of giving someone a physical gift, it can be a great idea to donate to a cause in their name. If youre unsure what cause theyre most passionate about, try giving a charity gift card. You can send it electronically, and then they can choose from a list of participating organizations. (CharityChoice: Gift cards available starting at $2)

7. A trip to the spa: For those people who really need to relax but would never think to buy themselves a massage or facial. (Spafinder: Gift cards available starting at $25)

See more here:
10 Super Last-Minute Holiday Gifts That No One Will Know Were Last Minute