Contracts can feel overwhelming, even for seasoned physicians. With dense legal language and clauses like non-competes, it’s easy to overlook how these agreements might shape your career down the road. At Lucens, we believe that understanding your contract is essential to safeguarding your long-term professional and personal goals.

This week, we asked Justine Siergey, OD, Director of Professional Strategy at Bausch + Lomb, to share her expert advice from over a decade of experience on non-competes and other common contract pitfalls—along with practical advice for navigating them.

Question:

I’ve heard horror stories about contracts, especially non-compete clauses. What should I watch out for, and how can I avoid getting stuck in a bad situation?
– J.P., New York

Justine:

This is such an important topic! Non-compete clauses, in particular, can cause major headaches if you don’t fully understand what you’re agreeing to. They’re incredibly common in physician contracts, and even though the FTC moved to ban most non-competes earlier this year, I still see them popping up all the time.

In my first job, I signed a contract with a non-compete clause without thinking too much about it. It didn’t seem like a big deal at the time, but I realized just how restrictive it was when I needed to leave. My non-compete required me to work outside a 50-mile radius of any of the employer’s locations for three years. That meant driving an hour each way just to stay compliant.

I can’t tell you how disruptive it was. I lost hours every week to commuting—hours I could have spent with my family or focusing on my work-life balance. By the end of the year, I’d listened to every Game of Thrones audiobook just to pass the time. Eventually, I said, “Enough is enough.”

The issue isn’t just about driving time. Non-competes can include several restrictions, and these are the ones that trip people up the most:

• Radius: This determines how far away you have to work from your current employer.
• Specialty: You may not be able to practice the same specialty within the restricted area.
• Duration: The length of time the restriction lasts.

It’s even more complicated when an employer applies the clause across all their locations. For example, if a company operates in multiple states, you could find yourself unable to work within that entire region. For physicians with families or deep ties to their communities, these clauses can feel impossible to navigate.

The good news? These clauses are rarely set in stone. Employers might say non-competes are non-negotiable, but that’s often just a starting position. Asking the right questions and pushing back can make a big difference.

I also recommend digging into how enforceable the clause is in your state. Non-competes aren’t always as ironclad as they seem, and some states have strict limitations on them. Consulting a lawyer who specializes in physician contracts can help you understand what’s truly enforceable and where you might have leverage.

Finally, don’t let the excitement of a new job cloud your judgment. It’s easy to focus on salary or benefits and ignore the fine print. Take your time, ask questions, and think about how the terms of the contract might affect you years down the line.

The Bottom Line

Your contract is more than a job agreement—it’s a foundation for your career. Non-competes and other clauses can have long-lasting effects, so take the time to understand every detail before signing. If something doesn’t sit right, speak up, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to negotiate. Protecting your future starts with knowing what’s in your contract.

Have you faced challenges with non-compete clauses or other contract terms?

We’d love to hear your story—or your questions. Share them with us, and let’s keep this conversation going.

‍Click here to submit your question.

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