Silenced and Stalled: How Non-Disclosure Agreements Shape the Careers of Sexual Harassment Survivors

• In Event: 30212 - Sexual Violence as a Structural Problem

Abstract

Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) are widespread in workplace contracts, yet the shadow side of these agreements remains largely underexplored. This study is one of the first to investigate how NDAs affect the career trajectories of sexual harassment survivors. Drawing on 28 semi-structured interviews, we examine how these legal agreements influence survivors' work trajectories and lives. Our findings show that NDAs do more than enforce silence: they create lasting financial and emotional harm, limit career advancement, and protect toxic workplace cultures by shielding perpetrators and organizations from accountability. By highlighting the silencing effects of NDAs, we reveal an overlooked mechanism that perpetuates inequality and biases existing research on workplace harassment. Our research calls for a reevaluation of legal and organizational practices that allow NDAs to sustain gendered power imbalances in the workplace. Addressing these issues is crucial for creating more transparent and equitable work environments.

Authors

• Bethany J. Nichols, Stanford University

• Ariel Lam Chan, Stanford University

• Adrian Daub, Stanford University

• Alison Dahl Crossley, Stanford University