---
title: "1. Senior hire: the noncompete assumption is unsafe"
slug: "regulatory-news-and-changes/1-senior-hire-the-noncompete-assumption-is-unsafe"
section: "Regulatory news and changes"
description: "The FTC's national noncompete rule was blocked in 2024, and the agency explains that it is not in effect; the 2026 CFR cleanup reflects that status. The le"
internal_only: false
---

# 1. Senior hire: the noncompete assumption is unsafe

The FTC's national noncompete rule was blocked in 2024, and the agency explains that it is not in effect; the 2026 CFR cleanup reflects that status. The legal enforceability of individual noncompetes depends on the actual agreement and relevant state law. When recruiting a chief revenue officer from a competitor, send counsel the clause, prior employer and new role before soliciting confidential information or promising a start date. [Noncompete Rule — Federal Trade Commission](https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/rules/noncompete-rule)

**Monitoring trigger:** jurisdiction-specific developments and employee classification changes. **Do not write:** “all US noncompetes are banned.”