ROUNDUP: Murray, Clark, Pressley Introduce Be HEARD Act—Sweeping Bill to Address Workplace Harassment

Huffington Post: “Though other pieces of legislation have been proposed over the past 18 months to pick off specific areas of sex harassment and discrimination, this bill goes deeper, covering many of the systemic issues that hold workers back from seeking justice.”

 

CNN: “In the wake of Congress taking steps to get itself in order over sexual harassment, the BE HEARD Act represents a push to more broadly tackle the issue of harassment and discrimination in industries across the country.”

 

Mother Jones: “Democratic lawmakers announced landmark legislation Tuesday aimed at fighting sexual harassment in the workplace.”

 

The Root: “… Democrats have introduced new, comprehensive legislation that tackles harassment in the workplace.”

 

Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Congresswoman Katherine Clark (D-MA-5), Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley and several of their Democratic colleagues introduced the Bringing an End to Harassment by Enhancing Accountability and Rejecting Discrimination (Be HEARD) in the Workplace Act, legislation which takes critical steps to ensure businesses have more resources to prevent harassment and workers have more support when they seek accountability and justice, and sends a clear message to those who think they can get away with assault or harassment on the job: time is up. The Members were joined by several advocates and survivors who bravely shared personal stories that show why it's time for action to end workplace harassment.

 

Other co-leads for the House bill introduction are: Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin (D-MI-8) and Congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (D-FL-26).

The Senate bill is co-sponsored by: Senators Kamala Harris (D-CA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Bob Casey (D-PA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL).

 

See initial coverage of the bill’s introduction below:

 

CNN: Democrats unveil bill to expand protections against workplace harassment and discrimination

 

“A group of Democratic lawmakers on Tuesday are unveiling sweeping legislation to strengthen and expand federal protections aimed at preventing workplace harassment and discrimination nationwide. The legislation, titled the ‘BE HEARD in the Workplace Act,’ is being introduced in the Senate by Democratic Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, a member of Senate leadership and the top Democrat on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee. A number of high-profile congressional Democrats have signed on as co-sponsors, including 2020 candidates Kamala Harris, Elizabeth Warren, Kirsten Gillibrand, Amy Klobuchar and Cory Booker as well as Bernie Sanders, an Independent who caucuses with Democrats.”

 

“In the wake of Congress taking steps to get itself in order over sexual harassment, the BE HEARD Act represents a push to more broadly tackle the issue of harassment and discrimination in industries across the country. The legislation is focused on preventing sexual harassment as well as other forms of workplace harassment and discrimination, including on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, race, age and disability.” [CNN, 4/9/19]

 

HuffPost: Congressional Democrats Unveil Their Answer To Me Too

 

“Critically, the bill would extend civil rights protections to vulnerable low-wage workers ? including domestic workers, part-timers, interns, and contract workers ? whose stories tend to go unheard next to the more high-profile stories of sexual misconduct that attract media attention.”

  

“Though other pieces of legislation have been proposed over the past 18 months to pick off specific areas of sex harassment and discrimination, this bill goes deeper, covering many of the systemic issues that hold workers back from seeking justice.”

 

“Advocates say the legislation is an important step in addressing well-known gaps in civil rights laws, and also is a blueprint for legislative efforts in the states. ‘These are longstanding issues that survivors and advocates and worker justice folks have talked about for years, they’ve taken huge risks to come forward and tell their stories, and Congress has been pretty silent that whole time,’ said Rahgu. This bill is a long awaited response to those calls to action.” [HuffPo, 4/9/19?]

 

Mother Jones: Democrats Just Introduced Sweeping #MeToo Legislation. It Would Have a Huge Impact on the Service Industry.

 

“Democratic lawmakers announced landmark legislation Tuesday aimed at fighting sexual harassment in the workplace. Sponsored by Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Reps. Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) and Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), the sweeping bill, dubbed the Be HEARD Act, focuses on expanding protections for workers, increasing training, and improving victims’ access to legal assistance, especially for those in lower-wage positions. 

 

“Speaker after speaker shared their personal stories Tuesday, including Rep. Pressley, who saw harassment firsthand during her years working in hotels. ‘I’m thinking about the hotel workers whom I worked alongside for six years when I was scrapping money together to help my family financially,’ she said. ‘I’m thinking of my mother, Sandy, and my daughter, Cora, my past, and our country’s future. I am moved by each and every one who stand beside me today, by your courage, your strength, and your willingness to speak truth to power.’” [Mother Jones, 4/9/19]

 

Vox: Democrats’ sweeping new anti-harassment bill, explained

 

“Since the #MeToo movement gained public attention in 2017, sexual misconduct allegations against high-profile men have made headlines around the world. But for food servers and other workers harassed or assaulted by people who aren’t famous and under circumstances that make it difficult or impossible to report, it’s not clear whether much has changed. On Tuesday, Democrats in Congress will introduce legislation aimed at helping those workers. Called the Bringing an End to Harassment by Enhancing Accountability and Rejecting Discrimination (BE HEARD) in the Workplace Act, it would close loopholes in federal discrimination law that leave many domestic workers without legal protections from sexual harassment. It would authorize grants for low-income workers to help them seek legal recourse if they are harassed. And, crucially for food service workers like Tucker, it would eliminate the lower minimum wage for tipped workers, which many say makes servers vulnerable to harassment by customers”

 

“‘When we started work on the Be HEARD Act, we’d heard a lot about abuses of power in Hollywood and in Congress,’ Murray said in prepared remarks provided to Vox. ‘What we wanted to do was shine a spotlight on workers who weren’t in those headlines.’”

 

“Some of the ideas in the BE HEARD Act have attracted bipartisan support recently. Republicans held a committee hearing last week on the issue of mandatory arbitration, with South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham and others expressing concern about the use of arbitration clauses. Meanwhile, Republicans in the House and Senate have joined with Democrats to introduce legislation barring employers from forcing employees to sign nondisclosure agreements.” [Vox, 4/9/19]

 

Washington Post: They were just as macho as the men they worked with, especially as they kept quiet

 

“‘. . . So I tolerated it.’ That’s too frequently what women say when they are groped, slapped, probed, raped, assaulted, insulted and harassed at work. Especially when the work is deemed macho, like firefighting, policing or patrolling. In these hypermasculine professions more than others, women are expected to be tough, to tolerate, to ignore and endure. ‘I put up with it. I brushed it off,’ said Jennifer Glover, 33, a super strong National Rifle Association member, master shooter, weightlifter and self-described “tough chick” who was harassed and then roughly sexually assaulted while doing her dream job guarding one of the nation’s most sensitive nuclear test sites…

 

“Glover will be on Capitol Hill Tuesday with Murray to help introduce the Bringing an End to Harassment by Enhancing Accountability and Rejecting Discrimination (BE HEARD) in the Workplace Act. It will help ensure businesses have more resources to prevent harassment and workers have more support when they seek accountability and justice, according to the National Women’s Law Center, which has been working with the committee.” [Washington Post, 4/9/19]

 

The Mary Sue: Democrats Introduce the Be Heard Act to Combat Workplace Harassment

 

“Democrats have announced a new bill aimed at curbing workplace harassment and discrimination. The architects of bill are (no surprise) the women of congress: Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Rep. Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) introduced the bill alongside Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.). The Bringing an End to Harassment by Enhancing Accountability and Rejecting Discrimination in the Workplace Act, or Be Heard, is designed to combat discrimination not only against women, but discrimination based on race, sexuality, gender identity, and age.”

 

“And while the Me Too Movement has largely focused on high profile industries like entertainment, tech, and politics, the bill is designed to protect people in service jobs, factory workers, interns, and freelancers.”

 

“… it’s an important step forward in acknowledging what needs to be done and how we can begin to dismantle systemic discrimination in the workplace.” [The Mary Sue, 4/9/19]

 

UPI: Democrats seek end to workplace harassment with new legislation

 

“Congressional Democrats on Tuesday called for civil rights protections for American workers, an end to the tipped wage and transparency in the workplace as part of sweeping legislation to end workplace harassment. Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, along with Reps. Katherine Clark and Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, and Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, introduced the so-called Be HEARD Act during a news conference on Capitol Hill. It stands for Bringing an End to Harassment by Enhancing Accountability and Rejecting Discrimination in the Workplace Act.”

 

“Murray said she was inspired to write the legislation in part because of reports of abuses of power in Hollywood and Congress. ‘What we wanted to do was shine a spotlight on workers who weren't in those headlines,’ she said.” [UPI, 4/9/19]

 

The Hill: Dems unveil anti-workplace harassment bill

 

“A group of Democratic lawmakers on Tuesday unveiled a bill aimed at strengthening protections against harassment in the workplace, including sexual harassment. Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Democratic Reps. Katherine Clark (Mass.), Ayanna Pressley (Mass.), Elissa Slotkin (Mich.) and Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (Fla.) introduced the "Be HEARD Act," which stands for Bringing an End to Harassment by Enhancing Accountability and Rejecting Discrimination in the Workplace.

 

“‘Millions of workers are not protected under our civil rights laws. Far too many are still silenced by mandatory disclosure agreements that prevent them from discussing sexual harassment and longstanding practices like the tipped wages that keep workers in certain industries especially vulnerable,’ Murray said at a press conference. ’The Be HEARD Act will take strong new steps to address all of this and more,’ she said.

 

“The legislation draws from recommendations outlined late last year by Murray, the top Democrat on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.” [The Hill, 4/9/19]

 

The Root: Time's Up for Abusers in the Workplace: Rep. Ayanna Pressley Introduces Sweeping Anti-Harassment Legislation

 

“Joined by workers, survivors, and advocates from across the country, Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) and other congressional Democrats have introduced new, comprehensive legislation that tackles harassment in the workplace. The multifaceted “Be HEARD Act” is aimed at bolstering protections for workers, particularly those in lower wage and entry-level jobs where employees tend to be most vulnerable…

 

“The Be HEARD in the Workplace Act stands for ‘Bringing an End to Harassment by Enhancing Accountability and Rejecting Discrimination,’ and includes a sweeping array of proposals. This includes provisions that workplaces adapt formal strategies to prevent harassment (including nondiscrimination policies and trainings). The bill also clarifies protections for LGBTQ workers, eliminates the tipped minimum wage, and strikes the caps on compensatory and punitive damages workers win when they file harassment suits against their employers.”[The Root, 4/9/19]

 

Bustle: Ayanna Pressley's Be HEARD Act Wants To Root Out Harassment In The Workplace

 

“Democrats are aiming to build safer and more inclusive spaces for workers at the entry and low wage levels with this particular piece of legislation. On Tuesday, Massachusetts Democratic Rep. Ayanna Pressley introduced the Be HEARD anti-harassment act, The Root reported. Aptly abbreviated, the title for the Be HEARD Act stands for ‘Bringing an End to Harassment by Enhancing Accountability and Rejecting Discrimination,’ according to Vox. Pressley authored the anti-harassment bill alongside four Democratic women, namely Washington Sen. Patty Murray, Massachusetts Rep. Katherine Clark, Michigan Rep. Elissa Slotkin, and Florida Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, according to The Root.” [Bustle, 4/9/19]

 

King 5: Bill to Prevent Workplace Harassment (TV)

 

Host: Washington Senator Patty Murray has introduced a bill to prevent workplace harassment

 

Senator Murray: We’d heard a lot about abuses of power in Hollywood and in Congress. What we wanted to do was shine a spotlight on workers who were not in those headlines.  [King 5, 4/9/19]

 

Q 13: News Segment (TV)

 

Host: Today Senator Patty Murray introduced a bill to address workplace harassment, it’s called the Be HEARD Act. According to Murray a recent Senate oversight report found that millions of workers aren’t protected under civil rights laws, and due to mandatory [non] disclosure agreements some aren’t even able to talk about harassment.

 

Senator Murray: It will establish new, clear standards to strengthen prevention in workplaces nationwide, it will empower workers to come forward by providing new resources and support, and it will safeguard existing antidiscrimination laws while expanding protections, to make it clear that all workers are protected under our civil rights laws. [Q13, 4/9/19]

 

KOMO: News Segment (Radio)

 

Host: Senator Patty Murray has launched a sweeping piece of legislation that takes aim at harassment in the workplace.

 

Senator Murray: The Be HEARD Act will take strong new steps. It will establish new, clear standards to strengthen prevention in workplaces nationwide, it will empower workers to come forward by providing new resources and support,

 

Host: Murray says the goal is a federal law that would require equal treatment at work regardless of gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or age. [KOMO, 4/9/19]

 

KUOW: News Segment (Radio)

 

Host: Workers harassed or discriminated  against while on the job would have new protections under a proposed federal bill. Washington Democratic Senator Patty Murray introduced the legislation today. It would give workers, more time to report harassment, among other things. Washington state domestic worker Adriana Cazorla spoke at the bill’s announcement in D.C. She said, through an interpreter, she’s been the victim of harassment on the workplace many times.

 

Interpreter: For many years I felt that I needed to stay silent. We worry that if we report something we are going to be fired. Because people think that we don’t have any rights.

 

Host: The act would also prohibit workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

It’s being introduced in both the House and Senate, but the legislation does not have sponsors from within the Republican party which controls the Senate. [KUOW, 4/9/19]

 

Boston Globe: Clark, Pressley introduce bill to expand workplace protections for #MeToo cases

 

“Massachusetts congresswomen on Tuesday introduced a bill that represents the first sweeping federal effort to address the systemic legal and workplace inequities exposed by the viral #MeToo movement — including an ambitious effort to phase out the tipped minimum wage, which advocates say makes women especially vulnerable to sexual harassment.” [Boston Globe, 4/9/19]

 

WBUR: Mass. U.S. Reps. Clark And Pressley Introduce Sweeping Sexual Harassment Bill

 

“U.S. Reps. Katherine Clark and Ayanna Pressley on Tuesday introduced a sweeping sexual harassment bill they said will add needed federal enforcement power to stop the kinds of workplace inequalities, mistreatment and violence brought to public spotlight by the #MeToo movement.

 

“Standing alongside other lawmakers, advocates and workers who told stories of harassment on Capitol Hill, Clark and Pressley unveiled the Bringing an End to Harassment by Enhancing Accountability and Rejecting Discrimination (Be HEARD) in the Workplace Act. The legislation aims to give express federal protection against sexual harassment and sexual orientation discrimination on the job.”[WBUR, 4/9/19]

 

See the response to the bill’s introduction below:

 

American Civil Liberties Union

 

“For too long, harassment and discrimination have been a painful reality of the workplace, denying workers equal employment opportunities and dignity. Women workers, especially those who labor in low wage jobs, have continued to shine a light on this insidious problem, including most recently by the #MeToo movement.”

 

“Finally, with the BE HEARD in the Workplace Act, survivors of sexual harassment and other forms of discrimination will have more legal protections and fewer barriers to justice. The long overdue bill strengthens and expands our nation’s antidiscrimination laws and addresses harassment on the basis of sex—including sexual orientation and gender identity—as well as race, ethnicity, age, disability, and religion.”

 

“We are proud to support a bill that protects the civil rights and dignity of millions of workers and be part of the movement towards lasting, systemic change.” — Ronald Newman, national political director at the American Civil Liberties Union [ACLU, 4/9/19]

 

TIME’S UP

 

“Thank you @PattyMurray @RepPressley @RepKClark for introducing the #BeHEARD Act & saying it loud and clear: #TIMESUP on sexual harassment & abuse in the workplace. EVERY worker deserves safety & dignity on the job. Every worker should feel empowered to speak out & pursue justice.” [TIME’S UP, 4/9/19]

 

Women’s March

 

“Thank you to #WomensAgenda champion @PattyMurray for leading the charge to #BeHEARD!

 

“We need lasting policy change that will promote safety and equality in the workplace for everyone.” [Women’s March, 4/9/19]

 

The National Domestic Workers Alliance

 

“We need the #BeHEARD Act. It will expand protections to domestic workers and all working people, increase access to justice, promote prevention, and end the lack of accountability that has long enabled harassment & sexual assault in our workplaces.” [Domestic Workers, 4/9/19]

 

Restaurant Opportunities Centers United

 

“#BEHEARD Act is bold legislation that responds to the needs of working people and sets out a vision for how we end harassment of all kinds & sexual assault in the workplace. We applaud @PattyMurray @RepKClark for introducing this bill.” [ROC United, 4/9/19]

 

Justice for Migrant Women

 

“Everyone deserves equality, safety and dignity at work. #BEHEARD Act is comprehensive federal legislation to address all forms of workplace harassment and is a huge step toward making that a reality” [Justice for Migrant Women, 4/9/19]

 

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights: BE HEARD Act Brings Accountability for Workplace Discrimination

 

“People are fed up with harassment and discrimination being business as usual at work. It is time for laws and policies that prevent and remedy these all too common violations of working people’s civil rights. The Be HEARD Act will do just that. The Leadership Conference coalition will continue working with our members and elected leaders to pass this bill and ensure a future where all working people are treated fairly and with respect.” —Vanita Gupta, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights [The Leadership Conference, 4/9/19]

 

National Women’s Law Center

“The National Women’s Law Center is proud to support the introduction of the BE HEARD in the Workplace Act, a visionary effort that sets a new marker for reform in the fight to end the epidemic of harassment in the workplace. Over the past year and a half, the voices of survivors have inspired an unprecedented demand for prevention of and accountability for workplace harassment. The BE HEARD Act answers that call. As the first comprehensive federal legislative solution for the workplace proposed in the wake of #MeToo going viral, it offers a groundbreaking set of reforms that responds to the demands for change that have reverberated across this country. Most importantly, it’s a victory for the thousands of courageous advocates and survivors who have shared their stories and their pain in hopes of transforming workplaces and achieving safety, dignity, and equality for all.”—Fatima Goss Graves, President and CEO of the National Women’s Law Center [NWLC, 4/9/19]

 

 UltraViolet

 

“It’s the first comprehensive federal legislation to address workplace harassment in the wake of #MeToo… It’s definitely bold legislation that responds to the needs of working people and sets out a vision of where we need to go and what we need to do to prevent harassment and assault in all workplaces.” —Emma Boorboor, deputy organizing director for UltraViolet [Mother Jones, 4/9/19]

 

Center for American Progress

 

“For months, the #MeToo movement has dominated the public discourse. Yet too often, the conversation has focused on high-profile figures being called to task for their actions. But the problem of sexual harassment is not just one facing the rich and famous; it is an everyday epidemic that occurs in everyday spaces across the country—in every industry and occupation. It confronts people from all walks of life, people of all genders, races, and disability statuses—often compounding the effects of multiple forms of bias. Most importantly, it confronts workers who do not benefit from the same visibility as those in more elite industries—restaurant workers, farmworkers, housekeepers, and caregivers.

 

“No worker should have to endure harassment in order to earn a decent wage and support their family. Combating sexual harassment requires comprehensive solutions to address the different facets of the problem—and the BE HEARD Act is a critical step forward. The proposal would eliminate barriers that can prevent workers from coming forward with harassment claims; strengthen legal protections to promote greater employer accountability for discriminatory work environments; improve education and training on harassment prevention measures; expand supports for low-income workers who may be more vulnerable to threats that can put their livelihood at risk; and more. These protections are essential to ensure that every worker can work in an environment that is free of discrimination. Taking concrete steps to end sexual harassment is long overdue, and this legislation is a critical step forward.” — Jocelyn Frye, a senior fellow with the Women’s Initiative at the Center for American Progress [CAP, 4/9/19]

 

Bazelon Center

 

“We strongly support the Be Heard Act. Workplace harassment, including harassment on the basis of disability, continues to be a widespread problem. This bill's provisions to require employer plans to prevent and respond to workplace discrimination, to make additional training resources available to address workplace harassment, and to establish a network to advocate for workers who experience discrimination would go a long way toward addressing the problems that workers face today." —Jennifer Mathis, Director of Policy and Legal Advocacy at the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law [Bazelon Center, 4/9/19]

  

National Partnership for Women & Families

 

“Everyone has the right to feel safe and respected at work, yet millions of people are affected by workplace harassment and discrimination. Now, thanks in large part to the bravery of survivors who shared their stories, Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Reps. Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) and Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) have introduced the Bringing an End to Harassment by Enhancing Accountability and Rejecting Discrimination (BE HEARD) in the Workplace Act — a comprehensive legislative approach to protecting workers from discrimination and harassment.

 

“By expanding protections to workers who have been historically excluded from civil rights legislation, including domestic workers, agricultural workers and LGBTQ workers, BE HEARD is a step toward greater equality in America’s workplaces. The bill’s other key workplace provisions — eliminating the sub-minimum wage for workers who rely on tips, prohibiting pre-dispute nondisclosure agreements and mandatory arbitration agreements, and clarifying standards that must be met to prove harassment and discrimination — will help to correct power imbalances that lead to workplace harassment and discrimination.

 

We call on members of Congress who believe in fairness and dignity for all people to support and pass the BE HEARD in the Workplace Act.” —Debra L. Ness, President, National Partnership for Women & Families [National Partnership, 4/9/19]

 

The Century Foundation

 

“Sexual harassment, sex discrimination in pay, and most of the other forms of discrimination mentioned in this commentary are prohibited by law via Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Equal Pay Act, and other anti-discrimination laws. However, challenges to enforcing these laws, as well as gaps in discrimination law and loopholes and exceptions in the statutes, generally mean that harassment, discrimination, and unequal pay remain serious problems with both interconnected origins and interwoven consequences. That’s why legislative efforts to close those loopholes and strengthen these laws are so important.

 

“The BE HEARD Act—introduced today—does that important work in a number of groundbreaking ways. It expands who is covered by the federal anti-discrimination laws to include domestic workers, farmworkers, and others who work for small businesses, as well as independent contractors and interns. It clarifies protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity. It also improves enforcement of the law and ensures that survivors of harassment can access the justice system and the broader supports they need.” — Julie Kashen, Senior Fellow at The Century Foundation [The Century Foundation, 4/9/19]

 

AARP

 

“The Be HEARD Act would help address age discrimination in several ways. First, it would more meaningfully address age-based harassment on the job… Second, BE HEARD would create legal parity in remedies for age discrimination with all other forms of employment discrimination under civil rights laws… Finally, Be HEARD would clarify the law to restore Congress’ intent that no amount of discrimination or retaliation in the workplace is acceptable or legally permissible… Be HEARD would make clear that the civil rights laws have zero tolerance for discrimination, including age discrimination, in the workplace.” — David Certner, Legislative Counsel and Legislative Policy Director at AARP [AARP, 4/9/19]

 

Center for Law and Social Policy

 

“#BeHEARD Act is comprehensive fed legislation to expand civil rights protections for ALL. It’ll empower workers & eliminate tipped min wage. Thx @PattyMurray @RepKClark & @RepPressley for your leadership & recognizing importance of civil rights protections for low-wage workers!” [CLASP, 4/9/19]

 

Human Rights Campaign

 

“The #BeHeardAct responds to the needs of working people who have bravely come forward about harassment & sexual assault by allowing workers more time to report harassment and helping workers with low incomes with legal assistance. @HRC is proud to support this legislation.” [HRC, 4/9/19]

 

“Today the #BeHeard Act was introduced in Congress to provide stronger protections for survivors of workplace harassment, including sexual harassment. @HRC thanks @PattyMurray and @RepKClark for introducing this vital bill.”[HRC, 4/9/19]

 

Feminist Majority

 

“Imagine a waitress forced to put up with sexual harassment because she needs tips to pay rent

 

“Or a nanny who has to put up with racist comments because she has no recourse

 

“Or a farmworker being pressured for sex to keep her job

 

“#BEHEARD says NO MORE” [Feminist Majority, 4/9/19]

 

Futures Without Violence

 

“60% of women who work in the restaurant industry have experienced sexual harassment, and more than half say it occurs every week. By eliminating the tipped wage, the #BeHEARD Act would help workers stand up to and report harassment without jeopardizing their economic security.” [Futures without Violence, 4/9/19]

 

American Association of University Women

 

“Thank you @PattyMurray and @RepKClark for introducing the #BeHeard Act today. Congress must act to provide stronger protections against workplace harassment, including sexual harassment. #MeToo” [AAUW, 4/9/19]

 

WYCA USA

 

“According to @amprog, industries with the highest numbers of filed sexual harassment charges include: food services, retail, manufacturing, and health care. The #BeHEARD Act would broaden the civil rights protections to ALL workers, including interns.” [YWCA USA, 4/9/19]

 

“According to a @UNC study, over half (58%) of women surgeons have experienced sexual harassment in the previous year alone, & most of it (84%) went unreported. The #BeHEARD Act would end mandatory NDAs which prevent workers from coming forward & holding perpetrators accountable.” [YWCA USA, 4/9/19]

 

Women Employed

 

“#BEHEARD Act is bold legislation that responds to the needs of working people and sets out a vision for how we end harassment of all kinds & sexual assault in the workplace. We applaud @PattyMurray @RepKClark for introducing this bill.” [Women Employed, 4/9/19]

 

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