O governo finalmente publicou sua resposta às Mulheres e Igualidades Select (WESC) Relatório de junho de 2019 sobre o uso de acordos de não divulgação (NDAs) em casos de assédio e discriminação no local de trabalho. Parece ser (principalmente) uma reiteração da resposta anterior do governo à sua própria consulta sobre propostas para impedir o uso indevido de cláusulas de confidencialidade em situações de assédio ou discriminação no local de trabalho, publicado em 21 de julho de 2019 (a resposta de julho). Profissionais de saúde e assistência regulados e profissionais do direito. Acordos. Há várias outras áreas em que o governo continuará a consultar e considerar sua posição. Isso inclui a obrigação de fornecer referências factuais e estender o prazo para trazer reivindicações com base em assédio sexual, gravidez ou maternidade.
The response addresses all forty-five recommendations and concerns raised by the WESC in detail. It seems to be (mostly) a reiteration of the government’s previous response to its own consultation on proposals to prevent the misuse of confidentiality clauses in situations of workplace harassment or discrimination, published on 21 July 2019 (the July Response).
Key Recommendations That Will Be Carried Forward
- A ban on provisions in NDAs or confidentiality clauses that prevent disclosures to the police, regulated health and care professionals and legal professionals.
- A requirement that the limitations of NDAs to be clearly outlined in settlement agreements and employment contracts.
- New enforcement measures for NDAs that do not comply with legal requirements in written statements of particulars and settlement agreements.
- Guidance for solicitors and legal professionals responsible for drafting settlement agreements.
- Enhancement to the independent legal advice required by individuals before signing NDAs to include specific advice on the nature and limitations of any confidentiality clauses.
At present there is no timetable for bringing legislation forward in respect of the above. There are a number of other areas where the government will continue to consult and consider its position. These include the obligation to provide factual references and extending the time limit for bringing claims based on sexual harassment, pregnancy or maternity.
O que os empregadores de Birmingham devem fazer? EHRC e a Law Society. Kathy pode ser contatada em 0121 227 3711 ou em [email protected].
All employers should now have reviewed their settlement agreement wording, and any non-disclosure/confidentiality wording used in employment contracts, to ensure that they comply with the standards expected by government and guidance issued by The EHRC and the Law Society.
Kathy Halliday is a Partner in the Employment Law team at award-winning law firm VWV. Kathy can be contacted on 0121 227 3711 or at [email protected].
