Whether on grounds of gender, religion, disability, or other protected status, being the victim of a hostile work environment can be extremely difficult and demoralizing. And many employees who end up settling claims for hostile work environment do not necessarily want to sign Non-Disclosure Agreements, or NDA’s, which prevent them from sharing the circumstances of a hostile work environment with members of the public – which could help prevent the behavior altogether.
Senate Bill 331, which was passed by the California legislature on August 30, attempts to change that.
What is Senate Bill 331?
Senate Bill 331, also known as the “Silenced No More Act”, would seek to expand current protections against confidentiality terms in settlement or severance agreements. If the Governor signs this bill into law, this means that an employee who suffered harassment and signed a severance or settlement agreement with an NDA could still speak up about the illegal behavior.
Real Change for the Harassed
The new law was the brainchild of Ifeoma Ozoma, a former Pinterest employee who accused the company of gender and racial discrimination after facing harassment at the hands of her coworkers. Before going public, she had to think long and hard about the legal ramifications that could ensue after breaking her NDA with the social media giant.
Ozoma was reported as saying “This legislation recognizes the reality that a lot of workers are experiencing intersectional discrimination based not just on their sex but also on other protected classes such as race or national origin…SB 331 is an important step forward ensuring they can speak out about their whole experience as a woman of color, or a person with a disability, for example.”
Contact Gokal Law
Are there facts suggesting a hostile environment where you work? Contact Jibit Cinar of Gokal Law Group, Inc. Our team specializes in litigation and counseling related to employment and labor law and will diligently represent you in the courts. In short, we will give you the support you need to win your case. The sooner you contact us, the more effective we are at getting you the justice you deserve.
Gokal Law Group is a family firm that treats our clients as if they were our own flesh and blood. We fight for our clients as we would our own children, sisters, brothers, and parents. We are our clients’ Warriors, fighting to bring them justice and right the wrongs they have endured.
Each attorney has a specific practice area for which they are tried, tested, and battle-ready. Each has vast years of experience in their practice area, providing them the knowledge, skills, and vision to fight and win. Learn more about Gokal Law Group.