Employment Arbitration

The Basics of Employment Arbitration

Employment arbitration is one of the most common forms of arbitration in the US. The purpose of this type of arbitration is to prevent employees from going to court. That’s why so many companies prefer employment arbitration. They know that arbitration is cheaper and faster than standard court litigation. Let’s now go over the basic principles of employment arbitration. So what are the Advantages of Arbitration ?

What Is Employment Arbitration?

Employment agreements and contracts serve as useful tools that assist employers and employees. The agreements can define compensation and create official workplace policies. An agreement can also identify crucial information that should remain private. Say that a party does not comply to terms within an employment contract. That’s when legal grounds exist to take action. What Is Mandatory Arbitration ?

It’s easy to assume filing a lawsuit and going to court is an appropriate action. After all, the news and TV shows often make litigation seem exciting. But most employers want to take steps that protect themselves from lawsuits. They do so by featuring an arbitration agreement inside employment contracts. Arbitration is a private process for resolving disputes. And it gets upheld by courts in every US state. Anyone who signs an employment contract should understand what an arbitration clause is. Learn The Difference Between Mediation and Arbitration .

What Is an Arbitration Clause?

What is arbitration contract ? Here is what an arbitration clause within an employment contract is. It’s a series of terms that provide the framework for an employment dispute. Any dispute must get resolved through arbitration, per the clause. This way, litigation’s avoided by an employer. This means an employee cannot seek a trial in front of a jury. (Or in front of a judge.) Instead, the dispute gets heard and resolved through a third party. That third party’s known as the “arbitrator.” Arbitration provides benefits for employers in many different ways. One key benefit is that arbitration often costs less than court litigation. Plus, it takes less time. Complaints get heard by arbitrators instead of juries. This is a crucial benefit. Why? Because sometimes arbitrators are more sympathetic to parties that have gotten wronged. Check out Arbitration vs Litigation .

There are some potential downsides to employment arbitration clauses. They might prevent a skilled job candidate from signing an employment contract. Here is another downside of employment arbitration. Say that a party receives an unfavorable result from an arbitrator. That result (the decision and award) cannot get appealed. (Unless there are rare, special legal circumstances.) Employers must consider these downsides. They should do so when debating whether to provide an arbitration agreement. If they choose to use an agreement, it should go inside an employment contract. Visit Sample Arbitration Clauses .

Why Do Employers Prefer Employment Arbitration?

All sorts of employers feature arbitration clauses within employment contracts. Why? because a clause can serve as protection from expensive lawsuits. You never know when an employee might file a lawsuit. But keep the following arbitration notion in mind. An arbitration clause can’t protect an employer from every single lawsuit. Must visit Arbitration in Law .

Sometimes a suit can get filed by a third party. That third party might work on behalf of an employee. This is not an uncommon situation for employers. This is why it’s so important to understand how arbitration clauses function. Every employer must understand what a clause can and cannot do. Otherwise, you risk drawing up a contract that does not have a secure legal basis. Then, you're asking employees to sign a document that won’t hold up in the court of law. Visit Mandatory Arbitration Provision .

What Is Employee Arbitration?

Say that an employment contract features an employment arbitration clause. And you sign that contract. This means that you've agreed to not pursue legal action in court. Then, of course, you can’t file a legal motion against your employer in court. Instead, you must settle all your employment related disputes through arbitration. Contact us for Full Scale Arbitration Services .

Why Does My Employer Want Me To Sign an Arbitration Agreement?

The majority of US employers ask their employees to sign arbitration agreements. Why? So that employees give up the right to sue in US court. This relates to common job-related issues. They include wrongful termination and breach of contract. Discrimination is another common topic for suing an employer. Most employees agree to sign arbitration agreements. But say that their rights get violated at work. Signing an arbitration agreement can come back to haunt certain employees. Visit Pre Dispute Arbitration Clause .

Who Chooses the Arbitrator?

Know about the types of conciliation . Most of the time, an arbitrator gets chosen by both the worker and the employer. They operate on a mutual basis to find an unbiased arbitrator. But sometimes a worker and an employer cannot come to an agreement. In this case, an arbitrator can get appointed by a US court. Or, a third-party arbitration provider (like our organization) can assist. In fact, our organization has one of the largest databases of arbitrators in the nation. Feel free to contact us now about finding an unbiased arbitrator near you. Contact us for Arbitral Tribunal Services .

Why Do Companies Choose Arbitration?

There are many different reasons why employers want to arbitrate with employees. Most of those reasons involve money. Arbitration is cheaper on average than standard US court litigation. Plus, the process goes faster. After all, some court cases can drag on for years. That’s not the case with arbitration. The average arbitral hearing process takes only a few days to a week. Some hearings even conclude in one single day. Visit Binding Arbitration Clause .

Can I Sue an Employer After I Sign an Arbitration Agreement?

No, you cannot sue an employer in court one you sign an arbitration agreement. Let’s say your employment contract features an employment arbitration clause. This means you agreed to never take legal action against the employer through court. But that doesn’t mean your dispute will go unsettled. You’ll have to settle the dispute with your employer through arbitration. Read more on: Arbitration vs Mediation vs Litigation .

Final Offer Arbitration . Arbitration is one of the top alternative dispute resolution techniques. Many legal experts consider it the best alternative to filing a suit in court. Oftentimes, it’s better for an employee to not stand before a jury and judge. That’s because arbitrators often have relevant work experience for each dispute. That inside knowledge positions them to apply a fair binding decision. Also visit Arbitration Decision Process.

The Benefits of Employment Arbitration

There are many upsides that the employment arbitration process provides. Let’s go over the main benefits of arbitration. Arbitration is less formal of a process than that of a court trial. This means that there’s a better framework to present evidence to arbitrators. Plus, arbitration can save both employees and companies a lot of money. For example, parties do not have to spend as much money on lawyer fees. This will help when filing documents and preparing for hearings. Check out Arbitration Definition Economics .

Since arbitration is so informal, you might not need to hire an employment attorney. Of course, every arbitration process is different. It’s often best to hire an attorney for guidance and advice. Arbitration also proceeds (and finishes) much faster than US court trials do. That’s why we mentioned earlier that employment arbitration is an efficient process. Sure, your arbitration case could take a few weeks or months. But a court trial could take more than two years. What is Binding Arbitration Definition ?

Exercise Caution When Signing Employment Documents

It’s become a common practice for employers to use employment arbitration agreements. They get placed inside all sorts of standard employment forms and documents. Many employees do not realize when they sign away their right to sue. Why does this happen? Because an employment arbitration agreement often doesn’t stand out. It gets included as a clause inside your average employment contract. You might also find an arbitration clause within an employee handbook. Check out Interest Arbitration Services .

The key is to go clause by clause when reading an employment contract. Try to read every single section before you sign your contract. Do your best to read every clause that a contract contains. You should also read the employee handbook word-for-word. After all, you might have to sign a page stating that you read and understood terms. Ask your employer questions if you don't understand some of those terms. It’s better to exercise caution than enter into an agreement for arbitration that you’ll regret. Visit Insurance Arbitration Process .

Allow Some Time To Think Before Refusing To Sign an Employment Contract

It’s a tough decision when factoring whether you should sign your litigation rights away. You've got to remember that your employer could revoke your job offer. That happens when most people refuse to sign arbitration agreements . Also, at-will employees can get fired when they refuse to sign. The key here is to think about the bargaining power that you have. Visit How To Use Arbitrate in a Sentence ?

Say that an employer has been courting you for quite some time. That employer could feel all right about giving up the arbitration agreement . This way, the employer can get you to start working ASAP. Remember- you always have a right to ask to negotiate terms of a contract. An employer won’t lose interest in you for asking. The worst thing that can happen is that the employer doesn’t want to negotiate. But some employers will allow arbitration agreements to get modified. This way, the employer and employee both win. Visit Federal Arbitration Act .

Employment Arbitration Under the Administration of ArbitrationAgreements.org

ADR procedures have become very common within many employment contracts. (ADR stands for alternative dispute resolution.) You can also find them in employee handbooks and HR manuals. ArbitrationAgreements.org focuses on resolving sensitive workplace disputes. We do so using advanced tools and resources that no other arbitration firm has. Workplace disputes can arise based on all sorts of reasons. Our mission is to help our customers get those disputes resolved ASAP. This way, both employers and employees can thrive without legal conflicts. Visit Arbitration Clause & Provision .

Please contact our Arbitration Agreement Association today to learn more about our employment arbitration policies. We can administer employer plans that meet the best ADR process standards. You're welcome to call our arbitration experts any time at (844) 554-0444. Or, you can send a message on our website and also email us. We’re ready to provide guidance and information to employers and employees alike. Our team has helped countless numbers of them succeed every year. And we look forward to assisting you through any arbitration process. What is Forced Arbitration ?