Congress Re-introduces the BE HEARD in the Workplace Act and NWLC Urges Swift Passage

(Washington, D.C.) Today, the Bringing an End to Harassment by Enhancing Accountability and Rejecting Discrimination, known as (BE HEARD) in the Workplace Act, was reintroduced in both the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives. The BE HEARD in the Workplace Act is a landmark federal proposal that responds to the lived experiences of working people and offers a comprehensive set of reforms to prevent and respond to all forms of harassment and discrimination.

Among other reforms, the BE HEARD in the Workplace Act would extend federal protections against harassment and other forms of discrimination to all working people; expressly recognize that harassment and other forms of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity are unlawful sex discrimination; remove barriers to access to justice; promote transparency and accountability in the workplace; strengthen protections against retaliation; and promote harassment prevention strategies. For more information, see this fact sheet.

The following is a statement by Gaylynn Burroughs, NWLC Vice-President for Education and Workplace Justice: 

“Women—especially women of color—and LGBTQI+ workers know all too well that sex-based harassment on the job continues to thrive in every occupation and industry and that its effects can be devastating and long lasting. Yet too many workers still do not have adequate federal protections against harassment and other forms of discrimination at work. It’s past time for Congress to enact bold solutions like the Be HEARD in the Workplace Act so every worker can enjoy equal opportunity, dignity, and safety on the job—and have the tools necessary to successfully fight back if harassment does occur. We urge Congress to swiftly pass this long overdue bill.”

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