There are too many non-competes and many are over-broad but garden leave of probably at least 50% seems a reasonable compromise if a company feels strongly about having a non-compete for whatever reason. That should be enough that it forces a company to think about whether they really want to enforce this and, while perhaps not ideal for the employee, is likely not too onerous assuming the non-compete isn't draconian in other ways.
The majority of people can't live on 50% of wages further the person may actually be underpaid and looking for a job that pays what they are actually worth. Example the person is paid 25k at a present employer looking at getting 35k.
That person who can't choose to make 12.5k in the short run will accept 25k instead forever.
If companies can't legally implement no poaching agreements to keep employees wages down I don't see why they should be able to do so with non competes.
It isn't about making the company think about whether or not it is necessary, but making sure that when they do think it is necessary, the employee can survive. If a company feels that they truly need a non-compete from you, they should be ready to pay full wages for one year.
