Rules On Non-Disclosure Agreements May Be About To Change
Rules on Non-Disclosure Agreements May Be About To Change
Non-Disclosure Agreements are not uncommon in the domestic employment world and, in many cases, their use is totally acceptable in preventing confidential information being leaked.
However, the now international ME TOO movement has highlighted how in some cases where employees have been made to sign such agreements, they may be used to cover up sexual harrassment, bullying or other unacceptable behaviour.
NDAs or ‘gagging orders’ as they are known have have come under particular scrutiny since serious allegations of sexual abuse were raised last year against the American former film producer Harvey Weinstein which sparked the worldwide Me Too movement.
It is for these reasons that the law in the UK is changing regarding NDA’s. The changes will form part of the government’s Draft Domestic Abuse Bill.
The intention is to stop employers from silencing employees when actions could otherwise be reported. It is quite possible that such actions would otherwise result in police involvement and or a tribunal hearing.
The issue has more recently come under the spotlight in the UK with senior executives and bosses having to resign. Politicians have not been exempt.
For those interested in further details of the draft bill they can be found at www.gov.uk news Draft Domestic Abuse Bill.
The Graham Agency, keeping you informed.
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