What You Need to Know About Leaving Today “Time Is Up”
Time’s Up Against Sexual Harassment has called on people to wear black and come on stage today in light of sexual harassment allegations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Cavanaugh.
The organization, the Foundation for the Legal Defense of Women Sexually Harassment in the Workplace, has called for a nationwide strike in solidarity with Christine Blacy Ford and Deborah Ramirez , who shared stories of alleged sexual assault by Kavanaugh in high school and college, respectively. Cavanaugh denies both charges, and the White House continues to support him.
“At 1:00 pm ET Monday, join us on a nationwide walk to show our support for Dr. Blacy Ford and Deborah Ramirez,” the event ‘s Facebook description reads. “All you have to do is dress in black and get out – from your home, office, class, wherever you are – and post a photo on social media with the hashtag #BelieveSurvivors .”
The strike is scheduled to begin at 1:00 pm ET / 10:00 am PT and continue until 2:00 pm / 11:00 am. Dozens of organizations are reported to gather in the atrium of the Senate Hall in Washington at 12:30 pm and go to the Supreme Court for a national speech, The Cut reported.
If you’re planning to leave, here’s one important thing to keep in mind: There is usually no remedy for workers who leave the workplace over an ethnic issue, says Sunu Chandi, director of legal affairs at the National Center for Women’s Rights . As such, for vulnerable workers, including immigrants, sole breadwinners, hourly workers, etc., leaving home can be unacceptable.
However, there are two areas of protection if the problem is related to an employee’s own workplace. First, if two or more employees come together to improve working conditions with or without a union, these actions may be protected by the National Labor Relations Act . In other words, if two or more employees leave because of sexual harassment or discrimination in their workplace, the company cannot take negative action against them.
Second, Title VII of the Federal Civil Rights Act protects workers in companies that employ at least 15 people if they also oppose discrimination in their workplace. Unions can often add an extra layer of protection because employers must provide a reason for dismissal. There is real power in numbers. But there is no real protection for a nationwide strike unrelated to one’s own place of work.
“This underlines the need for more workplace protection for all of us,” says Chandi. “Expressing one’s opinion in the workplace or solidarity with other women on national issues conflicts with the lack of rights that most employees face.”
“Everyone involved understands that people have different levels of security and ability to participate, and that should be the number one thought in people’s minds, there should be many ways to show support,” says Chendy. If you can’t get out, “you can show your support by posting a video or image at this event,” the event’s Facebook page says. You can also make a donation to a legal defense fund Time’s Up.