As a general rule, only strong evidence of duress or fraud are sufficient to invalidate an arbitration clause.
Ohio has a public policy favoring the enforcement of arbitration provisions in contracts and ORC 2711.01(A) provides that such provisions will be enforced unless grounds exist in law or equity for revocation of the contract.
A party is deceived, intimidated, or coerced during the execution of the arbitration agreement and requests a declaration that such arbitration agreement is invalid; and. The arbitration agreement violates prohibitions specified by the law.
If a court finds any evidence of substantive unconscionability, it will deem the agreement unenforceable. It does not take more than a low level of substantive unconscionability for the agreement to be thrown out.
While substantive arbitrability is presumptively decided by the courts, parties can vary that presumption by agreeing to arbitrate even those gateway issues. Often called a “delegation clause,” the contractual provision delegates authority to the arbitrator.
No, you cannot be forced to sign an arbitration agreement, but if you refuse, the company would be legally entitled to terminate you. It is your decision. Good luck to you.
As of February 15, 2023, California employers can require employees to agree to arbitrate most employment disputes as a condition of employment after the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, in Chamber of Commerce of the U.S., et al.
Without a valid arbitration agreement, no arbitration can take place or award can be rendered. In other words, a valid arbitration agreement is the cornerstone of any arbitration proceedings. Townsend, J.M., Drafting Arbitration Clauses: Avoiding the 7 Deadly Sins, Dispute Resolution Journal, 2003, p. 1.