A sign of the times? There is something happening more and more and nobody is wise to it because you can’t discuss it with anyone?

Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) have become increasingly common in various industries, and it’s a trend that is causing concern among many people including myself. While NDAs have traditionally been used to protect sensitive information, such as trade secrets or proprietary technology, their use has expanded to cover a wide range of topics, including workplace harassment, discrimination, and other forms of misconduct. Banks are famous for using these to cover their messes.

One of the main issues with the increased use of NDAs is that they can often be used to silence victims and prevent them from speaking out about wrongdoing. This can have a chilling effect on whistleblowers and make it difficult for important information to come to light. In many cases, NDAs are used to protect the reputations of powerful individuals or companies, rather than to safeguard legitimate secrets or intellectual property.

NDAs can grow a culture of secrecy and enable a lack of accountability. When individuals are prevented from speaking out about misconduct, it can allow harmful behaviors to go unchecked and lead to a toxic work environment. This can have serious consequences for the well-being of employees and the overall integrity of an organization.

In recent years, there have been several high-profile cases where the use of NDAs has come under scrutiny, such as the #MeToo movement, which highlighted how NDAs can be used to silence victims of sexual harassment and assault. As a result, there has been a growing call for greater transparency and accountability when it comes to the use of NDAs.

Companies need to be transparent about when and why NDAs are being used, and ensure that they are not being used to cover up illegal or unethical behavior. Employees should also be educated about their rights and encouraged to speak out if they witness misconduct.

This is a worrisome trend that has the potential to stifle transparency, accountability, and the ability of individuals to speak out about wrongdoing. It’s important for companies and individuals to consider the ethical implications of using NDAs and ensure that they are not being misused to protect the powerful at the expense of the vulnerable.

I, for one, want to know when the S**T hits the fan.