THE FIGHT AGAINST
SEXUAL HARASSMENT
Queens assemblywoman teams up with state’s
Sexual Harassment Working Group to continue
the fight for victims
BY BILL PARRY
Assemblywoman Aravella Simotas and
the Sexual Harassment Working Group
are continuing their fight to make com-prehensive
changes in the law so that
targets of harassment and discrimination can seek
justice.
They are urging lawmakers in Albany to pass two
measures, including Bill A849-A, which prohibits
the use of liquidated damages if a plaintiff in a
harassment or discrimination settlement violates a
non-disclosure agreement.
“For years, non-disclosure agreements have
prevented people from coming forward by holding
the threat of legal repercussions over their heads,”
Simotas said. “But the law should not be a weapon
for those who have seen injustice, not for those who
commit it. Targets of sexual harassment should not
live in fear of speaking out because of non-disclosure
agreements that essentially force them into silence.
This bill will ensure no one is subjected to egregious
financial penalties for sharing their stories.”
The second bill closes a loophole in the law to
protect whistleblowers working for elected officials
from retaliation. Many acts of workplace misconduct,
such as sexual assault, are carried out by a person
in position of power. Employees who know of these
acts are often afraid to report because of the risk
of retaliation. Currently, the law exempts legislative
and judicial employees from existing whistleblower
protections. Ensuring that all employees who dis-close
violations of the law or improper conduct to
a governmental body are protected from retaliation
will improve the safety of workplaces.
“All workers must be able to report misconduct
without placing their careers at risk,” Simotas said.
“It is unacceptable that this loophole in the whistle-blower
protection law leaves employees of elected
officials vulnerable to retaliation. This law only serves
to shield people higher in the social ladder so they
can continue to abuse their power and influence at
the expense of workers.”
The state’s Sexual Harassment Working Group, was
launched by seven former New York State legislative
employees who experienced, witnessed, or reported
sexual harassment by elected officials in Albany.
“New Yorkers are so fortunate to have Assembly-member
26 MARCH 2020 I LIC COURIER I www.qns.com
Simotas fighting for their rights year after
year,” the group said in a statement. “For 2020,
she has introduced bills to ensure that workers are
protected in speaking out against injustice including
discrimination. We support her bills to stop employers
from using liquidated damages to punish workers,
and to protect whistleblowers working for elected
officials from retaliation. Workers should not have
to choose between their jobs and being allowed to
speak the truth.”
Community News
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