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Aiming to Improve Transparency, Speak Out Act Signed Into Law

Thursday, December 29, 2022
Aiming to Improve Transparency, Speak Out Act Signed Into Law
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With an aim to improve transparency around illegal conduct in the workplace, the U.S. Congress has enacted a new law, the Speak Out Act, that renders certain nondisclosure and nondisparagement agreements unenforceable.

President Joe Biden signed the Speak Out Act into law on Dec. 7, 2022.

Contract Enforcement Prohibition

In general, the Speak Out Act prohibits courts from enforcing any contract that prevents an individual from talking about workplace sexual harassment or assault during a dispute that arose after the contract was made.

In other words, the new law makes it impossible for employers to use prior agreements to stop individuals from raising or disclosing information about a current or future sexual harassment or assault claim.

Affected Contracts

The Speak Out Act applies to:

  • Any contract between an employer and an applicant, employee, former employee or independent contractor; and
  • All contracts made between consumers and providers of goods and services.

Employer Impact

Employers should keep in mind that the new law only applies to agreements made “before the dispute arises.” Thus, it does not affect an employer’s ability to enforce nondisclosure or nondisparagement provisions contained in agreements made to settle a dispute.

However, employers should be aware that state or local laws may limit their ability to include these provisions in a post-dispute contract.

Important Information

Pre-dispute Agreements

Employers facing sexual harassment or assault claims may not rely on prior nondisclosure or nondisparagement agreements to silence employees about that conduct.

Post-dispute Agreements

The Speak Out Act does not affect nondisparagement or nondisclosure provisions in agreements that are entered into after the dispute arose.

The Speak Out Act prohibits courts from enforcing pre-dispute agreements not to disclose information about workplace sexual harassment or assault.

 

Material posted on this website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a legal opinion or medical advice. Contact your legal representative or medical professional for information specific to your legal or medical needs.