“NDAs Are the Work of the Powerful to Control the Vulnerable” – What Does This Mean for Employee Experience?

“NDAs Are the Work of the Powerful to Control the Vulnerable”

I recently heard this striking line on a BBC radio series:

“NDAs are the work of the powerful to control the vulnerable.”

It stopped me in my tracks. Because in the world of work, this isn’t just about legal agreements—it’s about trust, culture, and the employee experience.

The Hidden Cost of Silence

Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) have legitimate uses—protecting intellectual property, safeguarding sensitive data. But increasingly, they’re being used to silence employees after disputes, harassment claims, or toxic workplace experiences. When NDAs become tools of control, they erode psychological safety—the foundation of a healthy workplace.

Why This Matters for Recruitment.

Employee experience doesn’t start on day one; it starts with reputation. Candidates talk. Glassdoor reviews matter. If your organisation is known for using NDAs to bury problems, you’re not just protecting your brand—you’re damaging it. Top talent wants transparency, fairness, and accountability.

The Shift We Need

• From secrecy to openness: Address issues, don’t hide them.
• From control to empowerment: Give employees a voice, even when things go wrong.
• From legal compliance to ethical leadership: Ask not just “Is this legal?” but “Is this right?”

At Coreus, we believe recruitment is about more than filling roles—it’s about building cultures where people thrive. NDAs shouldn’t be a shortcut to silence; they should never replace genuine dialogue and resolution.

Question for leaders:

If your first instinct is to silence, what does that say about your culture? And what does it say to the next generation of talent?