Non-Disclosure, Non-Exposure: How NDAs Silence Workers in Tech and Beyond – Recording

July 27, 2021

Harassment and discrimination in the workplace are all too familiar for people with marginalized identities. Yet, the workers that experience it are usually quiet about it—because they have to be.

For decades, companies have used non-disclosure and non-disparagement agreements to silence workers after experiencing harassment and/or discrimination. These often come during a settlement to cover up the issue “quietly,” to protect the company from public scrutiny.

But this year, one tech worker has paired with a California lawmaker to end this practice. Ifeoma Ozoma publicly broke her NDA about racial discrimination at Pinterest and has worked with Senator Levya to expand protections against secret settlements to all forms of workplace harassment, including race, sexual orientation, gender identity, and more with SB 331.

On Tuesday, July 27th at noon, we sat down with Ifeoma Ozoma and other key players to discuss how NDAs have become gag orders, how SB 331 can free workers to share their stories, and change the game for tech and beyond. This conversation was moderated by Samantha Gordon, SVP of Advocacy & Organizing of TechEquity Collaborative.

Panelists included:

  • Ifeoma Ozoma, Founder and Principal of Earthseed
  • Mariko Yoshihara, Policy Director and Legislative Counsel for the California Employment Lawyers Association (CELA)

This webinar was hosted on Zoom.