[MRM]

Of course you can sign something that waives your rights to earn a living, or anything else. That's what contracts are. If someone signs a non compete I wrote, you bet it would be enforceable. And if my client directed me to enforce it, the former employee wouldn't draw a paycheck in the industry until the contract expired. And the new employer would pay my fees.

I've been on both sides of noncompetes. They are not to be trifled with. Get a lawyer who works for you to protect your interests. An ounce of prevention will be worth a pound of cure.