Wall Street’s Silencing of Sexual Harassment Cut Back by New Law

A major hurdle for employees who want to speak out about workplace sexual harassment is poised to be removed -- with significant ramifications across Wall Street, which has lagged behind the rest of corporate America in scaling back nondisclosure agreements.

President Joe Biden is expected to sign the so-called Speak Out Act after the bill was passed by the House on a 315-109 vote Wednesday and approved by the Senate in September. The new law will prohibit employers from enforcing nondisclosure agreements and non-disparagement clauses -- often signed on the first day of employment, and sometimes unknowingly -- that stop ...