NDAs should have a clear description of the purpose, parties, and duration they cover. Specifying time limits or periods that your employees are subject to confidentiality is particularly important to ensure your NDA is enforceable in California. The typical time period is one to five years.
After December 7, 2022, employees who sign an agreement that includes a non-disparagement clause or a non-disclosure clause before sexual harassment or assault occurs and a dispute arises are not bound by these agreements. The Speak Out Act of 2022 renders such clauses judicially unenforceable.
In addition, California's STAND Act and Silenced No More Act make it unlawful for businesses to use nondisclosure agreements to prevent their employees from revealing factual information regarding sexual assaults, workplace harassment, workplace discrimination, or workplace retaliation.
Nearly 20 states have passed laws restricting their use in dealing with sexual misconduct in the workplace, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington.
In California, a nondisclosure agreement may be enforceable, provided it meets basic criteria. The restrictive covenant must be properly drafted. This entails clear writing, detailed information about the confidential components of the contract, and a clearly stated extent of the confidentiality obligation.
Typically, a legal professional writing the NDA will complete these steps: Step 1 - Describe the scope. Which information is considered confidential? ... Step 2 - Detail party obligations. Step 3 - Note potential exclusions. Step 4 - Set the term. Step 5 - Spell out consequences.
You don't need a lawyer to create the agreement, but you may need someone with legal expertise to review it. We recommend consulting with a legal expert to ensure your agreement fully protects your organisation's interests when the document is first created.
You do not need a lawyer to create and sign a non-disclosure agreement. However, if the information you are trying to protect is important enough to warrant an NDA, you may want to have the document reviewed by someone with legal expertise.
In addition, California's STAND Act and Silenced No More Act make it unlawful for businesses to use nondisclosure agreements to prevent their employees from revealing factual information regarding sexual assaults, workplace harassment, workplace discrimination, or workplace retaliation.
Starting January 1, 2025, businesses settling disputes with consumers cannot condition any refund or other consideration on a consumer agreeing not to make statements about the business, regardless of the sentiment or accuracy of those statements.