If it's a truly secret IP invented by the company, I get it (but there are already things in place to protect those). But if its easy to learn and replicate... how secret and unique can it really be? Can the IP be patented / copyrighted? Or is it more like a recipe?
I've also known business owners who had non-competes to protect things like "oh, that's who they buy their materials from", or "oh, they advertise there... that's clever". While I'm sure the owner doesn't want that stuff to get out, those really aren't secret IP's that the company owns, and should not be used to prevent someone from working at another company.
This is what I wrote over at the Discord where we're having a similar discussion.
"I run a small hedge fund who spec trades electricity futures. When I bring someone in, they typically have no experience in the energy industry let alone how to "trade electricity". Over the next few weeks/months I teach them about the industry as well as my own formula on building profitable trades. Once they have this knowledge, which took me years to build, it's not difficult for them to go out and replicate it on their own. In order to protect myself from a constant cycle of training up what becomes my competition, I have a 6 month non-compete which serves as a small deterrent. It's not in place to hold someone hostage but to provide some protection to what is life changing knowledge.
They know this up front as it's part of the employment agreement. If that's not something they're willing to accept, no big deal. They can pursue another job and I will pursue another trader. I'm offering people the chance to make $300K-$1M a year WFH low stress job that requires them to work less than 20 hours a week. I expect some concessions on their part."
So effectively I have a "recipe" that would enable someone to make a lot of money. They just need to be taught how. And no, I'm not hiring. Especially now.