[Rick Lee]

If I'm:

A) fired
B) laid off
C) quit just before they fire me

Obvioulsy, it would look suspicious for me to call my HR dept. now and ask for a copy of the non-compete I signed years ago and which I didn't keep for myself. My days at my current job are numbered. I am in a real dilemma if they don't fire me in a month, as they've said they likely will. If they don't, then I'll be doubly in fear for my job every day and obviously pounding the pavement for a new one. I've heard non-competes are seldom enforced if someone is let go. But what if I jump ship first because they've given me a heads up that it's coming?

I don't much want to work for any of my competitors, as I've been pretty good at stealing their customers and making the case for why my company is better. But it seems to me some of those guys might be very interested in picking my brain. And after my last trip to LA, I am more convinced than ever that the competition is much better positioned there than we are. Join them? Get sued? Make enemies of my former co-workers?