BE HEARD (Bringing an End to Harassment by Enhancing Accountability and Rejecting Discrimination) in the Workplace Act Introduced Today

“Women’s work makes the world go round. To enact legislation that seeks to protect women in the workplace so that they can work with dignity, support themselves and their families and thrive free of fear and threats is essential to our society. I applaud the BE HEARD Act and call upon Congress to enact it into law. All of us at V-Day and One Billion Rising stand in solidarity with workers across the United States today. Without you, nothing is possible.” – Eve Ensler

V-Day and One Billion Rising applaud Senator Murray (D-WA) and Representative Clark (D-MA, 5th District) for introducing the BE HEARD (Bringing an End to Harassment by Enhancing Accountability and Rejecting Discrimination) in the Workplace Act today. This important legislation is a tangible next step in the public reckoning we are dealing with as a society in the wake of #MeToo. The act will not only help to prevent harassment in all forms in the workplace; it will insure workers safety, dignity and peace of mind.

The BE HEARD Act will:

• Raise the subminimum tipped wage to the full minimum wage because reliance on tips makes working people more vulnerable to harassment and discrimination by both clients and employers;
• Expand civil rights protections to all workers;
• Strengthen understanding workplace harassment and help business owners and workers prevent it;
• Help ensure transparency and accountability; and
• Empower people who come forward with reports of harassment or retaliation to ensure they get support, a fair hearing, and be made whole for their harm.

Throughout our movement we have seen how harassment in the workplace further stigmatizes the most marginalized working on the fringes of society, while also impacting the lives of those who are more privileged. US Activists: Call your representatives and ask them to support this legislation!

Together, we RISE for women workers everywhere, and we will continue to RISE to end workplace harassment until the violence stops.