The Federal Trade Commission has announced a new date for its previously postponed workshop examining employerĀ noncompeteĀ agreements.Ā The event will take place on Jan. 27, 2026, from 1 to 5 p.m. CT. It had been scheduled for October 2025 but was delayedĀ as a result ofĀ the government shutdown.
The workshop, titledĀ āMoving Forward: Protecting American Workers from Anticompetitive Noncompete Agreements,āĀ is intended to address how noncompete provisions affect workers and labor markets, as well as to outline the FTCās enforcement approach related to these agreements.Ā
According to the FTC, noncompete agreements are contractual clauses that commonly restrict workers from joining competing employers or starting similar businesses after leaving a job. The commission hasĀ statedĀ that although such agreements may beĀ appropriate inĀ limited circumstances, existing evidence shows they areĀ frequentlyĀ misused.Ā
The event will be organized and led by the FTCās Joint Labor Task Force, which was formed underĀ ChairmanĀ Andrew N. Ferguson to focus onĀ identifyingĀ and pursuing unfair, deceptive, and anticompetitive practices in labor markets that harm workers.Ā
The workshop follows several recent FTC actions involving noncompete agreements, including the conclusion of a public inquiry in November 2025, outreach to health care companies urging them to assess and remove anticompetitive noncompete provisions, and an enforcement action against Gateway Services Inc., a pet cremation company, thatĀ eliminatedĀ restrictive noncompete terms.Ā
Participants will hear remarks from FTC commissioners, individualsĀ impactedĀ by anticompetitiveĀ noncompeteĀ agreements, and experts with experience in labor and competition issues.Ā AdditionalĀ details, including the agenda and speaker lineup, will be released ahead of the event.Ā
In-person attendance requires advance registration. The FTC will also provide a livestream of the workshop on its website on Jan. 27, 2026.Ā
Registration link:Ā https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/events/2026/01/moving-forward-protecting-workers-anticompetitive-noncompete-agreements/registrationĀ
Author:Ā Jennifer Evancic
Jennifer.Evancic@ResourceManagement.com
Jennifer Evancic is a third-party auditor valued by creditors and large organizations for her knowledge in call monitoring within the collections industry. With meticulous attention to detail and a firm grasp of regulatory requirements, she ensures compliance with clientsā criteria and state and federal regulations.
Jennifer audits collections calls, ensuring they meet client-specific criteria and comply with regulations, providing valuable insights and maintaining industry standards.
Beyond her auditing responsibilities, Jennifer takes the lead in organizing and facilitating monthly call calibrations. These sessions serve as a collaborative forum where clients and their vendors come together to discuss call monitoring results and address any findings or areas for improvement. Jenniferās guidance fosters open communication and ensures alignment between clients and vendors, driving continuous improvement in collections practices.
Jennifer stays up-to-date with compliance and industry best practices by participating regularly in peer meetings, regulatory updates and industry webinars. This keeps her informed about emerging issues and ensures she remains a knowledgeable leader in collections compliance.
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