In a move to foster transparency and accountability in the executive branch, Governor Maura Healey established a policy that bars the use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) in employment cases within her administration's sphere. The new directive ensures that all settlement agreements will now be public records, accessible for scrutiny.
"From day one, the Lieutenant Governor and I have prohibited the use of nondisclosure agreements in our administration," Governor Healey announced. She emphasized that this formalization simply puts into writing what has previously been practice. The Governor's office seeks greater oversight over settlements, mandating each Executive Office to develop and disclose its specific policy on the matter.
The Healey-Driscoll Administration, working alongside the Auditor's Office, has been combing through previous uses of employee settlement agreements. This introspection has led them to decide that sharing their internal policies may serve the public interest. Each settlement, moving forward, will be subject to approval and tracked across the executive branch, aiming to paint a complete picture of how disputes are resolved and at what cost.
This policy change comes with a commitment to improved tracking of settlement agreements. "Today I’m issuing a formal, written policy for all executive department offices and agencies that codifies the policy that already in place," Governor Healey conveyed. The new procedures mean that NDAs, tools often criticized for silencing individuals and hiding misconduct, will no longer be a part of the process in the executive branch under her leadership.
