There's a significant difference between there being an unequal power dynamic, and an actual threat. True equality in any relationship between different humans

There's a significant difference between there being an unequal power dynamic, and an actual threat. True equality in any relationship between different humans is almost impossible. There are always differences where one person has more privilege or advantages than the other, and that includes hierarchy, but it also may be caste, religion, race, gender, sexual orientation, etc. It cannot be avoided that sometimes two people need to engage in a consent agreement and both of them are not considered "equals". Yet it's still important, perhaps more so, to seek that consent, and respect the denial of it. We shouldn't discount that consent agreement just because the two have an uneven power dynamic, because that will always be there. If on the other hand, an employee has a specific case and evidence for why they are being intimidated, a judge and jury could decide if the extenuating circumstances warrant nullifying a consent agreement. That's basically how things like sexual assault cases are handled. The same logic would apply to business consent agreements. The real difficulty is evidence. Always keep evidence of your treatment at work. Tell other people, send emails, confirm details after calls that you can't legally record.