IIRC, The entire contract is not invalid, just the specific clause that says that.
The specific clause is:
Except as provided in this chapter, every contract by which anyone is restrained from engaging in a lawful profession, trade, or business of any kind is to that extent void.
Most of the exceptions are regarding people who own and then sell the business, and a few others.
Which is to say that your employer would remain powerless, that's how.
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That's a big if. In the entire state of California, any such contract clauses are invalid.
So if it says this in my contract it's invalid? How?
IIRC, The entire contract is not invalid, just the specific clause that says that.
The specific clause is:
Most of the exceptions are regarding people who own and then sell the business, and a few others.Which is to say that your employer would remain powerless, that's how.
You can't enforce a contract clause that is illegal.
If your contract states that your employer can kill you if they so wish, it doesn't mean that they can; this would conflict with the law.