Biden Signs New Law Limiting Arbitration in Sexual Harassment Claims
Employment claims are often subject to arbitration clauses. This means that employees who want to assert their rights and file a lawsuit are forced to arbitrate their claims instead of going to court. While there are some advantages to arbitration, the arbitration process often favors employers and arbitration clauses reduce the options available to employees in pursuing their claims. Arbitration is also private, which means that workers and sexual harassment survivors are not allowed to tell their story or have their case heard publicly.
On March 3, 2022, President Biden signed the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021. This new law amends the Federal Arbitration Act to render pre-dispute arbitration clauses unenforceable for sexual assault and sexual harassment claims. This is a step forward in restoring the ability to choose how to pursue these two types of claims.
If you have experienced sexual assault or sexual harassment, contact us. Our experienced employment law attorneys would be happy to discuss your case and help you understand your legal rights and options in light of this new law.
