CBI stops staff discussing sexual misconduct and bullying claims

Lobby group's use of gagging clauses in wake of scandal criticised

- Anna Issac

The CBI has used gagging clauses to prevent staff discussing their experiences of sexual misconduct and bullying at the organisation, the Guardian can reveal.

Up to 10 non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) have been signed in the past year after the lobbying group’s sexual misconduct scandal, in which more than a dozen staff alleged they had been victims of sexual harassment, assault and rape. The agreements have been accompanied by substantial fi nancial settlements from the CBI.

Sources told the Guardian the total bill could be as much as £1m, accounting for legal fees, settlement deals and pension agreements. The CBI refused to confirm or deny the figure. The use of NDAs is increasingly controversial after they were used to silence victims of repeat harassers or offenders in a number of prominent cases of workplace misconduct.

MPs on the Treasury committee investigating sexism in the City recently called for the use of NDAs to be banned in such cases, saying they had the effect of "silencing the victim of harassment and forcing them out of an organisation, while protecting perpetrators".

Advisers to the CBI, as well as current and former staff, said that in their view, its use of gagging clauses was deeply problematic for an organisation trying to overhaul its culture.

They said it called into question the CBI's commitment to fostering a socalled "speak up" culture. The Guardian's investigation last year involved more than 30 staff disclosing concerns about problematic management and cultural issues. Many said they chose to speak to the Guardian because of concerns about how complaints were handled internally.