Although New York lawmakers have made significant strides in protecting workers, New York State laws still allow non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to be used in settlement agreements and employment contracts to prohibit people from speaking about harassment, discrimination, and other forms of unlawful activity that they have experienced and witnessed in the workplace. NDAs can be used in New York to prevent people from speaking publicly about their own personal experience, forcing survivors into perpetual silence while enabling predatory and toxic behavior.

The Stop Silencing Survivors Act would bar employers from including a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) and/or non-disparagement agreement in any waiver, resolution, or settlement or employment agreement that would prohibit employees from speaking about any alleged violation of the human rights or labor law.

The Stop Silencing Survivors Act does not ban NDAs from keeping trade secrets or monetary settlement amounts confidential, but it does ensure that employees can speak freely about their work experience if they so choose.

When the Legislature returns in January, we want this bill to be a priority. And you can help by sending a letter to your state reps and legislative leadership asking them to pass the Stop Silencing Survivors Act. Fill out the information here to automatically populate letters to your reps.