@Ornstein, When you first joined that soon-to-be-ex-employer, did they ask you to sign an agreement not to quit and work for a competitor ? (It is definitely irrational for them to ask a soon-to-be-ex-employee to sign an agreement not to work for a competitor after they learn that you will quit soon).

Make sure you fully understand any non-compete clauses you have already signed. And of course don't sign anything new. Simply say "No" when they ask where you are going. Then, once you are gone, do whatever you like.

"we can prevent you from working on automation tasks as per your non-compete: the industry doesn't matter" What does your non-compete actually say about this?

@CaptainEmacs "working on AI: industry doesn't matter" sure, that's completely normal/commonplace. But in this case they are just being A-holes. This is a simple case of "Why wasting time on the SE web site when you should be phoning your lawyer."

They're trying to get you to sign a non-compete on your way out? Are they offering something like a year's worth of severance in return? If not, then why would you even consider agreeing to it?

You should immediately remove anyone from your current company from your social media accounts and make them exclusively private. When asked the reason you did this you can point to the toxic behavior. I personally would just delete the accounts but that’s just me.

If you live in California, then any non-compete clauses you may sign are not valid. If a company tries to sue you, they'll be required to pay your attorney fees. For any other state, simply google "<state> non compete".

Yes, as Pasha says of California, here in the UK "non-compete" clauses have been severely restricted, if not outlawed. Even without so much extraneous detail, your tale would be complex enough to need expert legal advice. Here in the UK, many unions' membership fees include exactly this kind of advice

On a side note, you can help others know and understand the truth about how the company is behaving. Current co-workers may get a whitewashed version after you are gone, and they'll never know better unless you talk about it now. And future prospects may learn from you via glassdoor.com. Keep all claims clear, factual, and honest...

Don't do anything to give them ammo. Be respectful without backing down. And if your manager wants to have another conversation like that, ask nicely if you can bring HR into the meeting with you.

@MerkleGroot - HR is not your friend.

> My employer has been trying to get me to sign .. when you're leaving? LOL, how stupid. You get people to sign such things when offering employment, not when they are bailing.

Regarding being stressed out: when they try to make you sign something, or force something out of you, it might help to reframe it: Recognize this behavior as a tacit admission that they can't actually do anything to you. Every show of force, every obvious power play, is an attempt to disguise the fact that they have no power and you have it all. So when they try their ploys, see it for what it is, and smile to yourself at the transparency of their efforts to convince you that they are a lion to be scared of, instead of a tabby cat in a bad wig. Let it empower you instead of making you worry.