On Thursday, March 3, 2022; President Biden signed a bill into law ending the “forced arbitration” for sexual assault and harassment victims in the workplace. This law will allow the survivors to file lawsuits in court against the culprit(s). This new lawsuit will empower all those employees facing harassment at the workplace.
President signed a law ending forced arbitration in sexual misconduct cases
Words of President Biden
The President signed the bill in a ceremony in the White House. This happened in the presence of members of Congress, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Gretchen Carlson. He said that forced arbitration benefits solely the companies and culprits. It does not give an upper hand to victims or survivors in any form. Such situations require more attention.
“Between half and three-quarters of all women report that they have faced some form of sexual harassment in the workplace,” Biden said. “And too often they’re denied a voice and a fair chance to do anything about it. Today, we send a clear and strong message that we stand with you for safety, dignity, and for justice.” Biden called it a remarkable day for justice and equality in the workplace. This measure will protect employees from resolving sexual misconduct behind closed doors which frequently favour those culprits.
Tune in as I sign the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021 into law. https://t.co/KjmMiqXXdk
— President Biden (@POTUS) March 3, 2022
Words of Vice President Kamala Harris
Vice President Kamala Harris said that the new law will make the workplaces in America more unbiased. She said that this new law will waive the employee’s right to sue between employer and employee. “Forced arbitration silences survivors of sexual assault and harassment,” she said. “It shields predators instead of holding them accountable and gives corporations a powerful tool to hide abuse and misconduct.”
Words of Senate Majority leader Charles E. Schumer
In the words of Senate Majority leader Charles E. Schumer “We can’t ignore a basic reality of these clauses: They deprive victims of sexual harassment and assault of their basic rights by mandating that they seek remedy only behind the closed doors of private arbitration, with no other option”.
The incident in November motivated the government to pass this law
In November 2021, the survivors of sexual assault and harassment came forward. Those women already stated before the House Judiciary Committee. They described the traumatic experience of going through the arbitration process.