Penny Mordaunt
Sexual harassment at work is against the law, yet this disgusting behaviour is something that many women still experience today. The recent media stories have brought to light that some of these confidentiality agreements are being misused as a way to hide allegations of workplace harassment or intimidate victims into silence.
Confidentiality agreements are designed to provide businesses with a legal framework that allows good practice and trust, what they cannot do is conceal illegal activity.
Anyone who is a victim or witness to criminal activity at work cannot be bound by a confidentiality agreement from reporting this to the police. It is extremely important that people, especially some of the most vulnerable people in our workplaces, are aware of this. Britain has a world class economy and I am committed to making sure the way people are treated at work is world class, too.
To do this, the necessary steps need to be taken to end the misuse and misunderstanding of confidentiality agreements.
That’s why the Government will launch a consultation to hear from those affected and understand whether there should be more limitations on confidentiality clauses so that workers cannot be intimidated into silence and to find out what needs to be done to ensure that workers are clear about their rights. I urge people across the country to respond to our forthcoming consultation into confidentiality agreements, both when employment contracts and final employment settlements are made. I want to hear from everyone who has experienced their use in the workplace. I want to see good practice, but I particularly want to know when they have been used badly to intimidate and to cover up sexual harassment or discrimination.
And I want to make clear to those individuals who think they can bully and harass people at work, that the Government and good employers will not accept this abhorrent behaviour and will act to make sure that workplace rights are protected for everyone.
This is important for us all because unless every one of our citizens can reach their full potential at work, our nation never will.
Unless every one of our citizens can reach their full potential at work, our nation never will
Penny Mordaunt is minister for women and equalities