Dear John,

Today marks one year since the BE HEARD in the Workplace Act was introduced in Congress. This landmark bill would strengthen protections against harassment, retaliation and other forms of discrimination for all working people, which is especially critical during this global pandemic.

Working people, many in low-paid jobs, are risking their lives on the front lines of this crisis. Women and people of color are disproportionately those doing the essential work in health care, child care, grocery stores, farms, and other industries. Those same workers, who are so critical right now, were already at risk of harassment and sexual violence in the workplace. As unemployment skyrockets in this crisis, many are even more desperate to keep a paycheck at any cost and are at greater risk of coercion and abuse. And many gig workers doing front-line work making deliveries, for example, have no legal protection against harassment and other forms of discrimination at all. In this moment, we need to preserve and expand protections against workplace harassment and other discrimination so that no one is left behind.

The COVID-19 crisis is exposing and exacerbating the inequalities and economic insecurities that put so many at risk of harassment and violence in the workplace. Workplace harassment is about power, so it is no surprise that workers with less power — due to longstanding biases and structural inequalities — are especially vulnerable.

The BE HEARD Act can help ensure a harassment-free workplace for everyone by extending legal protections to all workers, including gig workers; giving workers have more time to file complaints; giving survivors a fair chance to in court; preventing employers from silencing workers; and investing in legal services for low-paid workers and prevention efforts.

We need to expand protections against workplace harassment and other discrimination so that none of us are left behind. Every worker deserves safety and dignity on the job — in times of crisis and beyond.

Sincerely,
Maya Raghu (she/her/hers)
Director of Workplace Equality and Senior Counsel
National Women's Law Center