If the employer intends to waive enforcement of the non-competition clause, then this must be done, at the latest, by the termination date set out in the agreement, notwithstanding any stipulation or provision to the contrary (Cass. Social Chamber, 26 January 2022, n° 20-15.755).
Thus far, the Court of Cassation has accepted that the anticipated timeline for waiving the clause commences from the date set out in the termination agreement (Cass. Social Chamber, 15 September 2015, n° 14-11.701).
Henceforth, the waiver deadline set out in the contract no longer applies. Waiver of the non-competition clause must be executed, at the latest, by the date of the employee’s effective departure from the company (as with all other cases of termination). The employee should leave the company knowing whether or not the company wishes to apply the non-competition clause.
Vigilance is, therefore, required when signing termination agreements and provision made, in the administrative (Cerfa) form, for removal of the non-competition clause if you wish to release the employee from it (and not have to pay the relevant financial consideration). Once the employee has left the company, the clause may only be removed with his written consent.