In just our first year, we...
Drafted comprehensive policy recommendations with employment and civil rights lawyers, advocates for gender equity, and human rights experts
Organized the first New York legislative hearings on workplace sexual harassment in nearly 30 years... and then organized another one a few months later.
All while working full-time jobs.
Secured passage of landmark legislation strengthening protections for workers across New York
OUR STORY
In 2018, seven former legislative staffers who experienced workplace sexual harassment, abuse, and retaliation joined together after watching as surface-level and even dangerous policies were rushed through in the name of #MeToo.
We knew public servants, and all workers, deserved better. So we drafted, proposed, and ultimately helped pass policies that stemmed from our personal experiences.
What started as evening and weekend meetings at Whole Foods cafeterias and coffee shops became a force that couldn't be ignored.
Eight Years of Impact
In 2025, we evolved from the Sexual Harassment Working Group into Harassment-Free New York—a professional nonprofit with the capacity to fight even harder. This isn't just a name change. It's a commitment to expand our impact at a moment when workers' rights and women's dignity face serious threats
The SHWG releases their 2021 Legislative Agenda, highlighting a half dozen bills as part of their continuing push to advocate for significant reforms not addressed in the 2019 package
As more women speak out about their experience with former-Gov. Cuomo, the SHWG works behind the scenes to protect those who want to keep their identity anonymous and support those who've come forward. As the press continues to write about the former staffers' experiences, the SHWG helps ensure the survivors are centered in their stories
The SHWG leads the call for Cuomo's resignation, and for lawmakers to use their impeachment powers to hold him professionally accountable for his actions
An independent investigation ordered by Attorney General Letitia James concludes that Governor Andrew Cuomo committed numerous acts of sexual harassment and fostered a general environment of fear and intimidation
Two weeks later, Andrew Cuomo resigns in disgrace. His resignation is a major victory for the new culture of accountability advocated for by the SHWG
Buoyed by their success, the SHWG continues to advocate for additional reforms with their 2022 Legislative Agenda
Lawmakers finally pass a key piece of the SHWG’s agenda, ensuring public servants have the same protections as private workplace employees
Governor Kathy Hochul signs three bills into law, codifying many (but still not all) of the reforms fought for by the SHWG
The SHWG releases its 2020 Legislative Agenda, prioritizing survivor-centered policies, including proposals that were left out of the 2019 package enacted by lawmakers
After former employees allege then-governor Cuomo sexually harassed them, the SHWG publicly demands a truly independent investigative process
Following the SHWG's full-court pressure campaign, the New York legislature agrees to hold a public hearing on workplace sexual harassment — the first in over 30 years. Just a few short months later, the SHWG secures a second hearing
The SHWG releases its first Legislative Agenda (available for download), advocating for 10 bills which would expand baseline statutory protections for workers, repair NDA laws to protect victims, establish trauma-informed statutes of limitations, and expand constitutionally-protected classes
The NY Legislature passes omnibus bill A8421 / S6577, incorporating many (but not all) of the SHWG's priorities, and strengthening some of the surface-level policies passed in 2018
Seven former legislative staffers who experienced workplace harassment, abuse, and retaliation connect and discuss their concerns with the New York Governors proposed laws in response to #MeToo
Strengthened by each other's support, and with a shared frustration at the superficial and counterproductive responses, they resolve to use their collective legislative experience and media savvy to create real, substantive change
The group develops and initiates a coordinated media campaign to put the spotlight on the long-standing and long-unaddressed sexual harassment problem in Albany. They decide to call themselves the Sexual Harassment Working Group (SHWG)
When their demands are left unacknowledged, the SHWG puts their policy backgrounds to use: working with experts and other advocates, the SHWG drafts and releases a white paper detailing proposed policies to strengthen protections against and accountability for harassment and discrimination, and clear paths to justice for those who experience it.
2025
A New Chapter Begins
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
The Sexual Harassment Working Group
Since 2018, we've continued pushing for change
Working with the Department of Labor to develop workplace guidance
Partnering with good government groups to strengthen accountability laws and investigative processes
Collaborating with survivor justice organizations to expand legal protections
Holding powerful figures — including a sitting governor — accountable for their actions
We've passed 8 laws. We've closed loopholes that lawmakers carved out to protect themselves. We've made it harder for perpetrators to hide behind NDAs and legal intimidation.
But challenging times call for stronger fights. Public servants across New York face harassment at alarming rates—25% of federal employees report experiencing sexual harassment, and at least 130 state lawmakers have been accused between 2013 and 2023 (with actual numbers likely three times higher due to underreporting).
Workers who experience harassment suffer PTSD, depression, job loss, and economic hardship. They lose health insurance, face evictions, and see their retirement security evaporate. Meanwhile, perpetrators shield themselves from accountability through opaque investigations and internal handling of complaints. The political pendulum has swung toward injustice.
