Most non compete contracts are nothing more than a tool to keep low / middle income people in check. A non compete is unenforceable if it is too broad ie. "You can't work in the medical field for 2 years in the U.S. or internationally." or signed under direst such as your boss coming to you after you worked for the company and requiring you to sign it as a requirement remaining employed. What they are counting on is people can't afford to fight it and not work while the legal battles come to a end. Lawyers and companies realize most employees will take the path of least resistance.
Can they fire you or refuse to hire you for not signing them? Yes. If you live in a right to work state they can fire you because it's Tuesday as long as they can prove it was not done due to Race, Creed, Religion or Sexual orientation.
Good luck with MedTronic. If those rumors are true. Maybe things will get better for you all.
Cheers,
Just Another Idiot
P.S. To all who are going to reply that I just suck and can't sell product and I'm just a crybaby. We are not stupid. We know those anonymous posts are from management.