California Leads The Way on Sexual Harassment Protections

In an increasingly broad effort to uncover unlawful acts in the workplace, California now prohibits severance agreements that restrict an employee’s right to disclose unlawful acts of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation in the workplace. The “Silenced No More Act” will eliminate secret settlements often used to cover up cases of sexual harassment and discrimination by high-profile executives –typically repeat offenders protected by sweeping confidentiality agreements. Under the new law, employers will still be able to keep the payments confidential to avoid piggybacking from copycat claimants but will allow a more open discussion of problems.