Sexual harassment

Congress Approves Landmark Sexual Misconduct Bill

FEB 10 2022·Updated JAN 4 2023

Story

Image credit: Getty Images [via The New York Times]

The Facts

The Senate on Thursday passed a landmark bill - with bipartisan support - forbidding companies from forcing sexual misconduct victims into arbitration.
Axios
The Ending Forced Arbitration Act will allow complaintants the choice to take companies to court, and retroactively nullifies previous contracts that would've forced mediation.
New York Post
The bill first passed the House on Monday in a 335-97 vote.
New York Post
President Biden is expected to sign the legislation into law soon.
CBS News

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

This is a victory for wronged workers, who for too long have been subjected to a secret system that favors employers and hides systemic problems. This should be the first step toward banning forced arbitration for all types of worker complaints.

NBC

Narrative B

Although this may help reduce inappropriate workplace behavior, it will unfairly burden companies. It opens the door to a host of new litigations, encouraging attorneys to tie harassment into other complaints that are subject to arbitration - legitimately or not - just to push them to court.