Insider News Center: From New York State Insider: [PRESS RELEASE] Senator Biaggi, Senator Gounardes, and Assemblymember González-Rojas Introduce Stop Silencing Survivors Act to Ban Non-Disclosure Agreements.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, April 29th, 2022.

Senator Biaggi, Senator Gounardes, and Assemblymember González-Rojas Introduce Stop Silencing Survivors Act to Ban Non-Disclosure Agreements. 

ALBANY, NY – Senator Biaggi, Senator Gounardes, and Assemblymember González-Rojas have introduced legislation (S8914) to ban non-disclosure and non-disparagement clauses in settlement agreements in workplace disputes and in employment contracts. 

This legislation bars employers from including a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) or non-disparagement agreement in a waiver, settlement, agreement, or other resolution to an alleged violation of the human rights law or labor law. Agreements may still include language barring an employer from revealing the identity of an employee or the circumstances surrounding their complaint, providing important protections to victims who want privacy. Additionally, the legislation bars employers from including language in a contract or application for employment as a condition of employment that bars employees from disclosing information related to any future alleged violations of the human rights law, labor law or their experience with the employer. 

“Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) have been used again and again by employers to silence survivors of workplace harassment and discrimination and protect abusers. By passing the Stop Silencing Survivors Act we can put the power back in the hands of employees –– giving them the agency to share their experiences when and if they so choose. I am incredibly grateful to the Sexual Harassment Working Group and Lift Our Voices for spearheading this movement to create safer, more equitable workplaces, and to my colleagues Senator Gounardes and Assemblymember González-Rojas for their partnership on this legislation,” said Senator Alessandra Biaggi. 

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