[UK] Ban on NDAs silencing workplace harassment and abuse

In the UK, employees who experience harassment or discrimination will no longer be silenced by controversial non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), under amendments to the Employment Rights Bill, GOV.UK reports.

The Bill is due to return to the House of Lords next week. Changes set to be introduced to it will void NDAs used by employers against employees who have been subjected to harassment, including sexual harassment or discrimination in the workplace, so they are no longer forced to suffer in silence.   

In addition, the move will reportedly allow witnesses of harassment and discrimination to call the behaviour out and publicly support victims without fear of being sued.   

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said, “We have heard the calls from victims of harassment and discrimination to end the misuse of NDAs.

“It is time we stamped this practice out – and this government is taking action to make that happen.

“The Employment Rights Bill will ban any NDA used for this purpose, so that no one is forced to suffer in silence.”

Employment Rights Minister Justin Madders said, “The misuse of NDAs to silence victims of harassment or discrimination is an appalling practice that this government has been determined to end.

“These amendments will give millions of workers confidence that inappropriate behaviour in the workplace will be dealt with, not hidden, allowing them to get on with building a prosperous and successful career.”

Source: GOV.UK

(Quotes via original reporting)

In the UK, employees who experience harassment or discrimination will no longer be silenced by controversial non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), under amendments to the Employment Rights Bill, GOV.UK reports.

The Bill is due to return to the House of Lords next week. Changes set to be introduced to it will void NDAs used by employers against employees who have been subjected to harassment, including sexual harassment or discrimination in the workplace, so they are no longer forced to suffer in silence.   

In addition, the move will reportedly allow witnesses of harassment and discrimination to call the behaviour out and publicly support victims without fear of being sued.   

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said, “We have heard the calls from victims of harassment and discrimination to end the misuse of NDAs.

“It is time we stamped this practice out – and this government is taking action to make that happen.

“The Employment Rights Bill will ban any NDA used for this purpose, so that no one is forced to suffer in silence.”

Employment Rights Minister Justin Madders said, “The misuse of NDAs to silence victims of harassment or discrimination is an appalling practice that this government has been determined to end.

“These amendments will give millions of workers confidence that inappropriate behaviour in the workplace will be dealt with, not hidden, allowing them to get on with building a prosperous and successful career.”

Source: GOV.UK

(Quotes via original reporting)