Last month the Victorian government announced a formal consultation process about reforms to end the misuse of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) in workplace sexual harassment cases after dedicated campaigning by Victorian workers.
Last week, Victorian Trades Hall filed our submission that was informed by the stories, testimonies and voices of working women and victim-survivors who have been involved in the campaign.
It was because of the action and stories of union women, activists and workers that we were able to advocate for a model that gives choice and agency to victim-survivors and will have the best outcomes for Victorian workers.
We proposed that:
- The use of NDAs should be prohibited in all sexual harassment or discrimination cases except when it is initiated by and the express wish of the victim-survivor to protect their own privacy;
- Where an NDA is initiated by a victim-survivor, they must have the right to opt out of it at a time of their choice.
We urged the government to adopt strong laws to end the cultures of secrecy that allow harassment to flourish and for a model that will empower workers and hold employers accountable.
It is due to the tireless campaigning of workers and unionists that this essential step is being taken to give power back to workers to combat gender-based violence at work!