Release date:
2/12/2018
Victims of Sexual Harassment Should Have Right to their Day in Court
(RALEIGH) Attorney General Josh Stein and Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi today led a sweeping bipartisan coalition of 56 attorneys general to urge U.S. House of Representatives and Senate leaders to enact legislation that protects victims of sexual harassment in the workplace. Specifically, the legislation should end forced arbitration for sexual harassment claims to protect victims’ fundamental right to their day in court. The letter also expresses concerns about the secrecy requirements of arbitration clauses. Ending this requirement, the letter states, “would help to put a stop to the culture of silence that protects perpetrators at the cost of their victims.”
“For far too long, victims of sexual harassment have not benefited from the justice they deserve,” said Attorney General Josh Stein. “We must change the policies and practices that silence victims and ensure that they have full access to the justice system. Congress must act to make our workplaces safer and more just. I am proud to be joined by so many of my counterparts across the country.”
Many employers require employees to sign arbitration agreements that require sexual harassment claims to be resolved through arbitration rather than the court system. These clauses are often in the fine print of employment contracts and are not initially evident to employees.
All 56 members of the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) signed on to this letter, the largest NAAG coalition since 2008.
Contact:
Laura Brewer (919) 716-6484
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