Justin Shaffer, while an employee of the Home Paramount Pest Control Companies Inc., signed an employment agreement providing that: The Employee will not engage directly or indirectly or concern himself/herself in any manner whatsoever in the carrying on or conducting the business of exterminating, pest control, termite control and/ or fumigation services as an owner, agent, servant, representative, or employee, and/or as a member of a partnership and/or as an officer, director or stockholder of any corporation, or in any manner whatsoever, in any city, cities, county or counties in the state(s) in which the Employee works and/or in which the Employee was assigned during the two (2) years next preceding the termination of the Employment Agreement and for a period of two (2) years from and after the date upon which he/she shall cease for any reason whatsoever to be an employee of [Home Paramount]. Shaffer resigned from Home Paramount and became an employee of Connor's Termite and Pest Control Inc. Home Paramount sued Shaffer and Connor's, claiming that Shaffer's employment by Connor's violated the contract. The defendants contended that the provision was overboard and unenforceable.
Decide. [Home Paramount Pest Control Companies, Inc. v. Shaffer, 718 S.E.2d 762 (Va.)]