Statement by NOW President Toni Van Pelt:

WASHINGTON – Every workplace should be safe from sexual harassment and abuse—but for too long, Congress has failed to protect the rights of employees to report this behavior without fear of retribution.  

That’s about to change. The Ending the Monopoly of Power Over Workplace harassment through Education and Reporting (EMPOWER) Act has been introduced by Representatives Lois Frankel (D-FL), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), John Katko (R-NY), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Lauren Underwood (D-IL), along with 49 bipartisan co-sponsors.

The EMPOWER Act will protect employees from workplace harassment and make it less dangerous for survivors to come forward. The bill would outlaw non-disparagement and non-disclosure agreements in employee contracts, require public companies to disclose settlements, establish a confidential tip-line for reporting, and reform the tax code to ensure survivors aren’t penalized.

NOW endorsed the EMPOWER ACT in the last Congress and we are proud to do so again. We are equally proud of Rep. Frankel and her colleagues for working so diligently to ensure transparency, accountability, fairness, and justice for all workers. NOW members will work with the new Congress to pass the EMPOWER Act and demand the Senate do the same.

Contact

NOW Press, press@now.org, 202-628-8669