GOP candidates must pledge to ban toxic workplace NDAs. Americans don't want victims silenced
Anyone discriminated against at work for any reason, whether based on race, age, disability, gender, or sexual identity, should not be prevented from telling his or her story
Gretchen Carlson and Julie Roginsky | Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Over the last few years, people who have experienced or witnessed discrimination, harassment, or other toxic behaviors at work have increasingly been telling their stories in public. America has been listening. Thanks to the widespread influence of the #MeToo movement, these stories have led to accountability for some of the nation’s highest profile people. Stories about workplace harassment have sparked a national conversation, which has contributed to the passing of federal laws that are already improving today's workplace culture.
Yet today, one third of American workers are bound by nondisclosure agreements that prevent survivors from reporting all types of toxic behavior, including discrimination and retaliation. These silencing mechanisms drive far too many women, people of color and others who have traditionally faced discrimination from their jobs and their chosen careers, while protecting predators at the expense of survivors. They make it virtually impossible for employees to warn their co-workers about bad actors, while ensuring that unacceptable behavior is covered up and perpetrated.
This summer, we have called on every candidate running for president in 2024 to join us in pledging to ban the use of NDAs for toxic workplace issues.
Gretchen Carlson is a journalist, author and advocate whose actions against workplace harassment at Fox News helped pave the way for the global #MeToo movement.
Julie Roginsky is a political and public relations consultant who sued Fox News for sexual harassment and retaliation. Since leaving Fox News, Carlson and Roginsky co-founded the nonprofit Lift Our Voices.
BY GRETCHEN CARLSON AND JULIE ROGINSKY, May 8th, 2023