Zelda Perkins is praised in the United Kingdom to prohibit NDA from silencing abuse in the workplace
Zelda Perkins, the former assistant to Harvey Weinstein and an activist against non-disclosure agreements, praised the British government’s plans to prohibit the gap ordinances which reduce silence in the workplace.
The Labor Government has filed an amendment to the Act respecting employment rights prohibits the use of NDAs to silence the victims or witnesses of harassment and discrimination. The clause was presented on Monday at the Chamber of Lords.
Perkins, who became a vocal criticism of the NDAS after having broken his own agreement with Weinstein during the #MeToo movement, put pressure against the abuse of gap orders. On Monday evening, she met to discuss the amendment with Justin Madders, the Minister of Employment Rights and Legislators, including Louise Haigh and Sarah Russell.
Madders said that “the excessive use of NDAs to silence the victims of harassment or discrimination is appalling practice”, adding that changes will give “the confidence of workers that an inappropriate behavior in the workplace will be treated, not hidden”.
Perkins, founder of Can’t Buy My Silence Uk, said: “This change was very long to come. For each person who has spoken, despite fear, legal threats or personal costs – this is proof that your voice has made a difference.
“Privacy clauses have been used to hide harassment and discrimination for decades. Finally, the government recognizes the damage they cause, not only for individuals, but in whole workplaces. Throughout the country, people will be safer following this law.
“If someone faces abuses or harassment in their work, they can speak without fear of being silenced. And the bosses, without the ability to sweep the reprehensible acts, will be forced to act, to face the persistent authors of abuse and to protect their staff.
“This announcement is a huge step forward, but we have not yet finished – we will continue to fight alongside Louise Haigh to make sure that the regulations that follow are waterproof – and that the work followed its promises.”
The government’s plan to update British law on the NDAS is involved in the midst of a meticulous examination on the media industry agreements. Deadline reported on the use of confidentiality clauses by Channel 4 in 61 settlement agreements signed by former staff members who left in the middle of a employment dispute between 2017 and 2021.
Canal 4 denies that these clauses were equivalent to NDA, but Perkins did not agree. Baroness Kennedy, president of the Creative Industries independent Standards Authority (CIISA) of the United Kingdom, called Channel 4 to launch an independent investigation.
Philippa Childs, head of Bectu, added: “The film and television and the rest of the creative industries are plagued by powerful predatory men for too long, facilitated by the use of NDA.
“The prohibition of the use of NDAs in cases of sexual harassment is a clear declaration of the government that this unacceptable behavior can no longer be covered. This development will be particularly welcome for the independent members working in the creative industries where the authors have been able to use the coverage of the NDA to hide at sight.
“Sexual harassment continues to be a serious problem for the sector and the announcement today is a welcome step that will help eliminate the abuse of power.”
