Diziet said:
I think you need to ask this question to a solicitor who specialises in employment law. In the UK, these clauses are widely regarded as unfair and unenforceable as they limit your career without any advantgae to you (ie all the advantages are for the employer). As you are not actively 'pinching' the existing client list I would guess you would be OK but advice from an employment savvy solicitor would tell you how much you need to worry, if at all.
This is good advice. I doubt that 6 months is enforceable in law, for example.
However, you should
think about talking to your employer first.
Honest after all is usually the best policy.
You could tell them that this offer came in; that you didn't solicit it, explain the role and how in your view the anti-competitive clause is too restrictive.
They may (a) offer you more money (b) kick up a fuss or (c) walk you to the door.
The risk here is that you tip your hand, indicate that you are thinking of leaving, and then this job falls through. You are now off the promotion list (as you are leaving).
Are there any employees you could ask who left?
How likely is your employer to kick up a fuss?
There is no harm in telling the potential new employer about the anti-compete clause now and in fact you should definitely do this. If they find out later that you knew about it and didn't tell them, there could be hassle from their legal side!