Law Offices of Todd M. Friedman, P.C.
  • Home
  • About
    • Friedman, Todd Michael
    • Levin, Cynthia
    • Bacon, Adrian R.
    • George, Meghan Elizabeth
    • Levin, David B.
    • Perry, Steven G.
    • Wheeler, Tom
  • Practice Areas
    • Employment Law
    • Consumer Rights
    • Lemon Law
  • In The News
  • Video Center
  • Blog
  • Results
  • Testimonials
  • Contact
Select Page

Hidden Settlements Hinder Justice in Workplace Harassment Claims

On behalf of Law Offices of Todd M. Friedman, P.C. | Feb 27, 2018 | blog

For someone who has been victimized by sexual harassment, there are numerous considerations when it comes to bringing a lawsuit. Although the #MeToo movement has brought attention to the issues and support for harassment victims, there is still an understandable reluctance to go public and let the world know the story.

Many victims simply want to settle their cases privately and move on. However, there are some important downfalls to these quiet settlements.

The Power of #MeToo is the Visibility

One of the main purposes of the #MeToo movement – which we wrote about in detail in a recent white paper – is the fact that visibility brings victims together to gain strength.

The problem with a closed-door settlement in a workplace sexual harassment claim is that it avoids anyone responsible being held accountable in the court of public opinion. Further, the amount the victim receives is likely to be less in private settlements than it is in courtroom litigation.

Why Do Victims Settle?

The most common reason why workplace sexual harassment victims settle their claims is that their employment contracts have arbitration clauses. They are contractually obligated to not go public with their claims.

A New Horizon

Recently, the country’s Attorneys General have written a unified letter to congressional leaders to change the culture around mandatory arbitration for sexual harassment cases, as reported in the Huffington Post.

“The attorneys general want Congress to end the practice of forcing sexual harassment cases into mandatory arbitration,” the article continues, “secret private courtrooms outside the public justice system… ‘Ending mandatory arbitration of sexual harassment claims would help to put a stop to the culture of silence that protects perpetrators at the cost of their victims,’ the letter says.”

The Recorder also reports a number of California plaintiffs’ lawyers are urging lawmakers to ban mandatory arbitration clauses and gag orders for workplace harassment claims.

The article quotes employment law specialist Cliff Palefsky as saying “One good public verdict will do more to deter sexual harassment than 100 arbitrations.”

It is important for more victims of workplace sexual harassment to have the courage to make their voices heard. This will ensure true justice and a strong deterrent against further violations in the workplace.

Recent Posts

  • McDonald’s facing class action sexual harassment lawsuit
  • New Whitepaper On Protecting Your Biometric Privacy
  • Did Walmart discriminate?
  • Are you misclassified as an independent contractor?
  • Protecting Your Privacy In The Workplace

Archives

  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012

Categories

  • blog
  • Car Accidents
  • Class Action
  • Consumer Fraud
  • Consumer Rights
  • Credit Card Debt
  • Employment Discrimination
  • Employment Law
  • Firm News
  • Sexual Harassment
  • Uncategorized

RSS Feed

Subscribe To This Blog’s Feed

FindLaw Network

Contact Us When You Are Ready To Fight Back

We offer free initial consultations. If you have experienced a violation of your rights, call us at 877-619-8966 or contact us online.

Headquartered in Beverly Hills, we accept cases throughout California, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio and West Virginia
Schedule a Free Consultation: Toll Free: 877-619-8966  |  Phone: 216-220-6496  |  Local: 424-235-1148  |  Fax: +1-866-633-0228  |  Email Our Firm

Beverly Hills Office
324 S Beverly Blvd, Suite 725
Beverly Hills, CA 90212

424-235-1148

Map & Directions

Orange County Office 
1851 E First St, Suite 918
Santa Ana, CA 92705

424-235-1148

Map & Directions

Woodland Hills Office 
21550 Oxnard St, Suite 780
Woodland Hills, CA 91367

424-235-1148

Map & Directions

King of Prussia Office 
1150 First Ave, Suite 501
King of Prussia, PA 19406

424-235-1148

Map & Directions

Chicago Office
333 Skokie Blvd, Suite 103
Northbrook, IL 60062

312-292-9296

Map & Directions

Ohio/West Virginia Office 
600 Superior Ave E, Suite 1300
Cleveland, OH 44114

216-220-6496

Map & Directions
CAALA
ASLA
NACA
Lead Counsel
SuperLawyers
Consumer Attorneys
ELOA
AVVO 10.0
AVVO Clients' Choice
Top One
SuperLawyers
BBB
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
Review Us
Yelp link to yelp reviews

© 2019 Law Offices of Todd M. Friedman, P.C.. All Rights Reserved.

Disclaimer | Site Map | Privacy Policy | Business Development Solutions by FindLaw, part of Thomson Reuters