Employers are taking a harder line. They're making anyone they do business with sign contracts promising not to share company secrets. They're meeting with employees to explain exactly what should remain confidential. Some, like Starbucks, are telling even entry-level hires that they may have to abide by agreements barring them from joining competitors if they quit.
“USA Today article on corporate secrets [1]”
Just a part of the plan to corporate serfdom. Not that I'm paranoid (then again, I don't work at Starbucks either).
[1] http://www.usatoday.com/usatonline/20000119/1856465s.htm