Newsletter: December 2022
Dear Friend,
Just yesterday, President Joe Biden signed our Speak Out Act into law after bipartisan support in both the House and Senate. The legislation, which unanimously passed the Senate in September, prohibits the use of pre-dispute nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) in cases of sexual harassment and assault in the workplace.
President Biden signs the Speak Out Act into law on December 7, 2022. (Official White House Photo)
Along with the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act, signed into law by President Joe Biden in March 2022, the Speak Out Act is landmark #MeToo legislation that makes the American workplace safer for survivors.
The new law ensures that workers cannot be prevented from disclosing that they experienced or witnessed sexual assault or harassment in the workplace, even if they signed a nondisclosure agreement prior to when the abuse took place.
As you know, thanks to the advocacy of Lift Our Voices, earlier this year President Biden signed into law a ban on the use of forced arbitration in cases of sexual assault and harassment. Like the Speak Out Act, it passed with strong bipartisan support.
At the White House Press briefing, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre had this to say:
“Today’s bill was passed thanks in part to the extraordinary leadership of Gretchen Carlson and other survivors and advocates.”
“Together, these laws help protect the safety and wellbeing of American workers, and make our workplaces safer, fairer and more just.”
We are grateful for the support of the President and members of Congress from both sides of the aisle, and now we have once again achieved the one, lasting protection that survivors deserve – a law to allow them to have the right to speak openly. This common-sense law will protect millions of people by ensuring their right to speak out.
It’s already making headlines:
Our interview today with CBS Mornings: A new law is changing people's rights to report sexual harassment at work
PBS Newshour: Biden signs law curbing nondisclosure agreements that block victims of sexual harassment from speaking out
Axios: Biden signs bill to curb use of sexual harassment NDAs
Deadline: Joe Biden signs bill limiting use of nondisclosure agreements that cover workplace sexual harassment
Together, these two laws mark the most expansive protections for workers in decades. This legislation will help to end the culture of silence that has prevented survivors and witnesses of abuse from speaking out about toxic workplace experiences.
We are thrilled at what has been accomplished thanks to your support.
Sincerely,
— Gretchen Carlson & Julie Roginsky | Co-founders, Lift Our Voices