Public Citizen Joins Launch of Action Network to Combat Workplace Harassment
June 26, 2018
Public Citizen Joins Launch of Action Network to Combat Workplace Harassment
Statements From Public Citizen Experts
Note: Today Public Citizen joined “Our Turn,” an action network committed to creating work environments that are free of harassment, discrimination and violence. The alliance will address discrimination and harassment at the hands of individuals and focus on changing institutional workplace cultures that have allowed systemic issues of discrimination and harassment to go unaddressed. Public Citizen signed the Commitment to Unity and Action that outlines the principles and priorities of the “Our Turn” network.
“Discrimination and harassment are significant problems in workplaces around the country. In particular, workers in hourly wage jobs, people of color, LGBTQ persons and immigrants often suffer the most and in silence. The ‘Our Turn’ network recognizes that the best way to address systemic workplace discrimination and harassment is to work collectively across our respective organizations as well as directly with workers to stamp out this egregious behavior in the workplace. In addition, Public Citizen will continue to advocate the removal of forced arbitration clauses in employment contracts. These clauses deprive people of their day in court when they are harmed and allow systemic issues to remain unaddressed.”
– Remington A. Gregg, counsel for civil justice and consumer rights, Public Citizen’s Congress Watch division
“The ‘Our Turn’ network seeks to uproot the conditions that have enabled harassment and discrimination to fester by unifying the call for systemic changes that will shift the power dynamics in the workplace. It wisely recognizes that accountability and whistleblower protections are integral to both preventing abuse and ensuring that survivors have protections against retaliation when they courageously speak out about workplace harassment and discrimination.”
– Shanna Devine, worker health and safety advocate, Public Citizen’s Congress Watch division
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