Open to Debate

Should the FTC Ban Non-compete Clauses?


Listen Later

This year, the Federal Trade Commission decided shake up the labor market, proposing to ban non-compete clauses for the tens of millions of workers they affect. The clauses are essentially contracts between employers and employees that prohibit the former from competing with the business after the employment has ended. As many as 30% of all U.S. private sector workers have signed such agreements, which actually find their roots all the way back in 15th century England. Those who defend such clauses say employers need these contracts to protect their investments in training workers, not to mention safeguarding their trade secrets. The contracts, they say, represent not only a fair exchange, but also serve as an important fortification for businesses within the broader economy. The FTC, they say, is overextending. But opponents argue that such contracts prevent workers from starting their own businesses, locking them into undercompensated positions, and depress labor mobility and wage growth, while contributing to race and gender gaps. It is in this context that we debate the following question: Should the FTC Ban Non-compete Clauses? 


Arguing Yes: Arguing “YES”: Heidi Shierholz, Economic Policy Institute President and former Chief Economist to the U.S. Secretary of Labor. 

Arguing No: Neil Bradley, Executive Vice President, Chief Policy Officer, and Head of Strategic Advocacy, U.S. Chamber of Commerce 

Emmy award-winning journalist John Donvan moderates 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Open to DebateBy Open to Debate

  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6

4.6

2,087 ratings


More shows like Open to Debate

View all
Left, Right & Center by KCRW

Left, Right & Center

5,013 Listeners

EconTalk by Russ Roberts

EconTalk

4,227 Listeners

Freakonomics Radio by Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

Freakonomics Radio

32,085 Listeners

The Glenn Show by Glenn Loury

The Glenn Show

2,257 Listeners

Intelligence Squared by Intelligence Squared

Intelligence Squared

782 Listeners

Making Sense with Sam Harris by Sam Harris

Making Sense with Sam Harris

26,350 Listeners

Conversations with Tyler by Mercatus Center at George Mason University

Conversations with Tyler

2,394 Listeners

Explain It to Me by Vox

Explain It to Me

7,841 Listeners

The Michael Shermer Show by Michael Shermer

The Michael Shermer Show

921 Listeners

Interesting Times with Ross Douthat by New York Times Opinion

Interesting Times with Ross Douthat

6,741 Listeners

The Reason Interview With Nick Gillespie by The Reason Interview With Nick Gillespie

The Reason Interview With Nick Gillespie

730 Listeners

The Soho Forum Debates by The Soho Forum Debates

The Soho Forum Debates

191 Listeners

The Munk Debates Podcast by Munk Foundation / iHeartRadio

The Munk Debates Podcast

37 Listeners

Advisory Opinions by The Dispatch

Advisory Opinions

3,755 Listeners

The Ezra Klein Show by New York Times Opinion

The Ezra Klein Show

15,326 Listeners