Chick’s and ADR
Chick’s and ADR
Chick’s Restaurant used an alternative dispute resolution program. Employees of Chick’s had to sign an “agreement to arbitrate employment-related disputes” to be eligible for raises, transfers, and promotions. Under the agreement, both Chick’s and the employee agreed to resolve all disputes arising out of employment, including “any claim of discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, or wrongful discharge, whether arising under federal or state law,” through arbitration.
In a separate policy document not shared with employees until after they had signed the agreement, Chick’s set forth the rules and procedures of its arbitration program:
The employee had to provide notice of the specifics of the claim, but Chick’s did not need to file any type of response to these specifics or notify the employee of what kinds of defenses the company planned to raise.
Only the employee had to provide a list of all facts or witnesses and a brief summary of the facts known to each.
While the employee and Chick’s could each choose an arbitrator from a list, and the two arbitrators chosen would then select a third to create the arbitration panel that would hear the dispute, Chick’s alone selected the arbitrators that were put on the list.
Only Chick’s had the right to widen the scope of arbitration to include award any matter, whereas the employee was limited to the matters raised in his or her notice.
Only Chick’s had the right to record the arbitration.
Only Chick’s could cancel the agreement to arbitrate or change the arbitration rules.
Barbie had worked as a bartender at the Chick’s restaurant for about five years before Chick’s adopted its arbitration policy. Barbie was given a copy of the agreement to arbitrate to review for five days and then sign. Approximately two years later, a Chick’s official grabbed and slapped her buttocks. After appealing to her manager for help and being told to “let it go,” she quit her job. When she threatened to file a lawsuit for sexual harassment, Chick’s filed an action in federal district court to compel arbitration of Barbie’s claims.
- Should Barbie be forced to settle her claim through arbitration? Why?
- Assume your company’s arbitration policy was exactly like Chick’s’. Name one aspect would you retain, and which one might you change? Why? Be specific.
In October, 2019, California companies can no longer require employees to sign an agreement forcing harassment, discrimination and wage claims into arbitration as a condition of employment instead of being able to sue.
California’s legislation was careful not to conflict with the Federal Arbitration Act and U.S. Supreme Court case law that allows companies to enforce mandatory arbitration agreements. The new state law says it’s illegal to require mandatory arbitration as a condition for employment, but doesn’t invalidate existing agreements. It also protects employees from retaliation and allows them to go to the state Labor Commissioner’s Office.
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