One of the many reasons I won't contract for Microsoft again
From WashTech ("Washington Alliance of Technology Workers, Communications Workers of America, Local 37083, AFL-CIO"): "Tech worker says agency uses 'non-compete' agreements to bully, intimidate"
The article is a little funny - it's really a press release disguised as journalism, partially refutes its original argument (that someone getting unemployment insurance will lose it if they turn down a job because of legal difficulties), and quotes WashTech President Marcus Courtney plenty.
Ignoring all the article's union flag-waving bad-boy rah-rah, it does illustrate one of the many reasons I choose to not take any contracts from MS. MS limits its contractors, works with a blinding multitude of different agencies (which makes getting a contract hard, because I would never know if I'm getting submitted for the same position), and clamps down on feedback. Work there for a while, and see if you can get a valid reference. I had almost 2 years of good work history as a contractor for MS, but my MS manager (a former contractor herself) was not allowed to serve as a job reference, and the contracting agency changed their policy soon after I left - they now refuse to give out references.
Try explaining no references after years of work to your next employer.