Iowa is getting closer to shield low wage workers from job mobility restrictions. 

House District 20 Representative Ray Sorensen says there is a bill  for workers at the bottom of the pay scale making less than $14.50 an hour and the intent is they should not be prohibited by a non-compete agreement from finding work somewhere else. Sorensen explains that businesses are using non-competes for the wrong reasons.

“It wasn’t designed to. If I go work at Burger King and then quit because of, you know, any number of reasons and go then work at McDonald’s, you know, that’s not what it’s intended for. And so I think it’s a smart bill to protect our low wage workers.”

Sorensen clarifies what non-competes are used for. 

“Non-compete should be designed to protect the best interests of both the employer and employee. They are put in place to protect me from learning your trade secrets and then going and starting my own business to undercut you.”

Sorensen adds a similar bill passed the Senate before stalling in the House.