More than 400,000 women 'silenced' by work NDAs
The Independent|May 14, 2024
Almost half a million women are gagged by confidentiality agreements after experiencing discrimination, bullying or harassment at work, according to new research.
MAYA OPPENHEIM
More than 400,000 women 'silenced' by work NDAs

A study, by the campaign group, Pregnant then Screwed, estimates 435,293 mothers have been silenced by nondisclosure agreements (NDA) or confidentiality clauses in the UK following mistreatment at work.

NDAs are legal contracts that block individuals from sharing information which companies or people want kept private. Employers across the UK use NDAs to silence workers who allege sexual harassment, pay discrimination and other wrongdoing.

Researchers found that three-quarters of mothers who signed an NDA say doing so harmed their mental health, while only around a quarter of mothers who signed a confidentiality clause would sign it again if given the choice and three in 10 think they were fairly compensated after their mistreatment.

It comes as campaigners gather at the Royal Courts of Justice today to protest against the confidentiality agreements.

This story is from the May 14, 2024 edition of The Independent.

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This story is from the May 14, 2024 edition of The Independent.

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