New Delhi, July 1 -- The Delhi High Court has held that employers cannot bar former employees from accepting new jobs, including those with their clients or associates. The court declared that any clause that compels them to choose between returning to their previous employer or remaining unemployed is not permitted under Indian law.

"An employee cannot be confronted with the situation where he has to either work for the previous employer or remain idle," a Hindustan Times report quoted Justice Tejas Karia. "Freedom of changing employment for improving service conditions is a vital and important right of an employee," he added.

The court also pointed out that post-employment non-compete clauses, which are common in contracts in various ...