Non-disclosure agreements: further guidance issued by the Law Society

A new initiative to help the public understand their rights when faced with non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) was launched on 15^th August, by the Law Society of England and Wales.

Guidance for the initiative will be available directly to the public and distributed through partner organisations and law firms.

What does this mean for employees and employers?

The new initiative comes after concerns of the Women and Equalities Committee that victims of workplace discrimination and harassment may feel reluctant to report it. Stephanie Boyce, deputy vice president of the Law Society of England and Wales has stated that the initiative “seeks to equip members of the public with the awareness, knowledge and confidence to make an informed choice when the time comes.”

The Law Society also maintain that confidentiality clauses, as found in NDAs, cannot and should not stop victims of workplace harassment or discrimination from reporting a crime to the police. They should also not prevent whistleblowing in the interest of the general public.

Further information

Our employment law solicitors work with employers and employees all over the UK from our offices in Bristol and South Gloucestershire.

If you would like specialist advice on non-disclosure agreements or any other aspect of employment law including contracts, workplace discrimination or unfair dismissal, call us on 0117 905 9763 or complete our online enquiry form.