Everyday Misuse of Non-Disclosure Agreements

Reviews / Votes

Julios offers a powerful and incisive analysis of the widespread misuse of non-disclosure agreements, revealing how they silence victims and entrench systemic injustice. Drawing on over two decades of expertise and extensive research, the book bridges questions of gender equality, ethics, and policy reform at the forefront of contemporary legal regimes. It provides rich, comparative insights spanning both the UK and the broader international landscape. An important read! -- Orly Lobel, Warren Distinguished Professor of Law, USA; director, Center for Employment & Labor Policy, University of San Diego School of Law; author, "The Equality Machine" and "You Don't Own Me" Julios' work is rigorously researched and exceptionally well cited, offering an authoritative, evidence-based examination of the everyday misuse of non-disclosure agreements in Britain. It stands as an indispensable resource for activists, illuminating a clear and practical pathway towards reform, grounded in robust legal analysis. Crucially, it anticipates and answers the many "what if?" objections so often used by institutions and individuals to delay or resist change.
As both an activist and someone who has experienced harassment and institutional betrayal, I cannot overstate the value of this book. Had I possessed it at the time, it would have transformed my ability to navigate the intimidating process of refusing an NDA, providing not only an understanding of my rights, but alleviating the loneliness and isolation. This is a vital and empowering text for anyone committed to breaking the silence and advancing meaningful change. -- Emma Chapman, PhD, Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Fellow, Outreach Coordinator for Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham, UK; author, "Radio Universe" and "First Light" An unflinching account of how NDAs have been misused time and again to cover up sexual misconduct and workplace discrimination, including serious revelations in the post #MeToo era. By highlighting the voices of those directly affected, Dr. Julios urges us to consider both the private toll-and the public cost-of silence. -- Elizabeth C. Tippett, professor, University of Oregon School of Law, USA; author, "Master-Servant Doctrine: How Old Laws Haunt the Modern Workplace" Dr. Julios' new work, Everyday Misuse of Non-Disclosure Agreements, offers a compelling account of the forces driving the push to regulate NDAs in the UK. It vividly weaves together the real-life stories that exposed patterns of high-level abuse and efforts to silence victims, along with the powerful response by grassroots movements and public institutions that have begun to reshape the legal landscape. A must-read for American scholars, it provides an important antidote to a largely U.S.-centric #MeToo narrative. Everyday Misuse of Non-Disclosure Agreements is a keen reminder of both the movement's global reach and the strikingly familiar dynamics of power, abuse and cover-up that transcends jurisdictions. -- Rachel Arnow-Richman, Professor of Law & Gerald A. Rosenthal Chair in Labor & Employment Law; director, Converge for Impact, University of Florida Levin College of Law, USA The journey from NDAs being everywhere to restricting them from causing harm has been long and arduous, raising many critical issues about how our legal system can protect the vulnerable. Julios thoroughly documents and analyzes that history, offering many lessons for law reform. -- Julie Macfarlane, Member of the Order of Canada, Emerita Distinguished Professor, University of Windsor, Ontario, Canada Christina Julios's Everyday Misuse of Non-Disclosure Agreements is a rigorous and deeply persuasive account of how NDAs have come to shape workplace governance. Drawing on rich empirical material across sectors, it combines legal precision with institutional and sociological depth to illuminate the systemic nature of NDA misuse. What distinguishes the book is its analytical balance: it takes seriously the legitimate functions of NDAs while showing how, in practice, they frequently reinforce power asymmetries and silence vulnerable voices. A clear and well-structured reform agenda makes it as constructive as it is diagnostic. Scholars, policymakers, and practitioners will find this essential reading, and it is certain to shape future debates on legal accountability and organizational culture. -- Dina Rabie, Assistant Professor in Economics, Northeastern University, London, UK