Non-disclosure agreements
Following recent publicity about the use of non-disclosure agreements in Higher Education, the University of Essex wishes to make clear that it adopts a zero tolerance approach to sexual harassment, abuse and misconduct.
We will never use non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to prevent individuals from reporting sexual misconduct, bullying and other forms of harassment. Nor we will use them in settlement agreements where individuals have reported sexual misconduct harassment or bullying.
While confidentiality clauses and non-disclosure agreements have their place, we are committed to not using them to silence people who have faced harassment.
It is essential that employees feel safe and supported and we consider the use of NDAs in these cases to be inappropriate.
