$3.6 Billion Company Sues Janitor

Cushman & Wakefield, a global real estate management firm, is suing one of its former janitors. She is accused of cleaning the same building she cleaned for her former employer, but for a different firm, a violation of her noncompete agreement. The theory behind the suit, that if employees can freely seek to better themselves then wages will rise, is not unique to real estate management. Amazon.com sues warehouse workers who jump ship, Jimmy John’s goes after sandwich-makers and Camp Bow Wow, a doggy day care chain, litigates against its former dog-walkers. The janitor’s case is ongoing, but the judge has granted a temporary injunction against the defendant, barring her from working at her new job while the matter is being considered. Although noncompetes are still more prevalent among high-wage workers, they are becoming relatively common among all types of workers. According to one study, they cover 14 percent of workers without college degrees.