Re: Has anyone ever seen a non-disparagement clause in their contract ?
Yes. Part of a redundancy package contract....Lawyers looked it over and said "Take the money and run. They're not worth fighting". We did.
Don't blame you at all. I gave notice at one company, and was offered a compensation package to stay longer. It came with a non-disparagement clause. That was a very nice carrot but, if I hadn't parted on such good terms, the stick was awfully big.