UK MP LETTER TEMPLATE

Date:

Dear (Name of MP),

I’m writing to you as one of your constituents on something I really care about and wanted to flag: non-disclosure agreements, and how they’re still being used to cover up misconduct in the workplace, such as sexual harassment, or maternity discrimination. 

I’ve seen first-hand how damaging this can be. People being pressured to sign legal documents that basically force them into silence, sometimes for the rest of their lives. According to research I’ve seen, over 40% of people who report bullying or harassment have been made to sign one. It’s clearly unethical. Not only does it protect those who’ve done wrong, but it also means they’re free to do it again, without consequence. 

The emotional impact of being gagged like this is huge. People are told they can’t even talk to their friends or family, let alone a therapist, and the fear of being silenced puts so many people off from speaking up in the first place. 

I know that universities are now banned from using NDAs in these situations, which is a step forward, but why is that not the case everywhere else? It just doesn’t make sense to me that someone working in a care home, a restaurant, or a shop isn’t given the same protection as someone in higher education.

We all hear about the big-name scandals like Mohamed Al Fayed or Post Office Horizon, but what people don’t always realise is that this kind of silencing happens all the time in ordinary workplaces, often to people in low-paid roles who don’t even fully understand what they’re being asked to sign.

I know there’s an amendment to the Employment Rights Bill being discussed to help fix this. I truly hope you’ll consider supporting it. Everyone deserves the right to speak up about what’s happened to them.

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this, and for everything you do for our community.

All the best,

(Your Name)

(Your Postcode)