I work as an independent contractor with my present employer. Can they make me sign that I will not work with any client of theirs for one year?

Non-compete agreements are unenforceable in California with certain exceptions. There is widespread belief that this restriction applies only in the employer-employee relationship; however, that position is not supported by the language of the California Code, and it has been rejected by the courts. The Code protects independent contractors as well, especially independent contractors that are essentially employees, that is, persons who don't work for more than one "employer" at a time in their line of work.

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