As an employer you hire employees. And those employees come into contact with your customers. In fact, when these employees leave the company, it is easy for them to take or approach those customers. To prevent this, an employer can include a relationship clause in your contract.
A relationship clause is a clause that obliges the employee not to interact with the employer's customers after the employment has ended. For example, as a former employee, you may not be allowed to maintain contact with former customers for a period of 6 months to 1 year.
Virtually the same rules apply to the relationship clause as to the non-competition clause. These rules are as follows:
- A relationship clause may only be agreed with an adult;
- The relationship clause must have been agreed in writing.
- A relationship clause may only be included in a temporary employment contract if the compelling business interest is sufficiently motivated.