California Bans Nondisclosure Agreements in Workplace Harassment, Discrimination Cases

Non-disclosure agreement lying on table, pen and eyeglasses on official document

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday signed a law that aims to block California companies from using nondisclosure settlement agreements to silence workers on workplace harassment and discrimination cases. The law also prevents, with few exceptions, employers from offering severance agreements that block the displaced workers from talking about unlawful acts in the workplace. Employers were… Continue reading California Bans Nondisclosure Agreements in Workplace Harassment, Discrimination Cases

California Would Ban ‘Secret Settlements’ in Discrimination Lawsuits Under Proposed Law

Close up of a generic non-disclosuer agreement with a pen and a gavel.

Three years after California outlawed sexual misconduct non-disclosure agreements, a Democratic state lawmaker introduced new legislation on Monday that would expand the law to include all workplace harassment and discrimination settlements. Dubbed the “Silenced No More Act,” Senate Bill 331 would include discrimination against race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, disability and religion in the 2018… Continue reading California Would Ban ‘Secret Settlements’ in Discrimination Lawsuits Under Proposed Law

Gov. Cuomo Signs Tougher Workplace Harassment Law

Manager putting his hand on the shoulder of his secretary, at the office

Gov. Andrew Cuomo changed the legal standard for workplace harassment claims in New York, a move that advocates said was long overdue and could result in more litigation against employers. Mr. Cuomo, a Democrat, signed a law Monday that would categorize conduct as harassment even if it wasn’t “severe or pervasive” — the previous threshold… Continue reading Gov. Cuomo Signs Tougher Workplace Harassment Law

Proposed New York Bill Widens Definition of Workplace Harassment

Businessman embracing his pretty secretary at work, she looking at his hand

New York lawmakers are considering a stricter standard for workplace-harassment claims that they say would better protect employees from inappropriate behavior. A bill pending in the state legislature would eliminate the requirement that offensive conduct be “severe or pervasive” to qualify as sexual harassment. Its sponsors, Assemblywoman Aravella Simotas and state Sen. Alessandra Biaggi, both… Continue reading Proposed New York Bill Widens Definition of Workplace Harassment