Arbitration might be the right choice for some cases. Limited discovery rights and costs might be useful when less is at stake. Arbitration might feel less adversarial, which could be an advantage where ongoing relationships are hoped to be preserved. Arbitration lends some confidentiality.
As a result, many companies have implemented alternative dispute resolution programs, many of which include employment arbitration agreements. In these agreements, the employer and employee agree to resolve any employment-related dispute through a binding arbitration as opposed to a jury trial.
Many employment contracts specify arbitration to resolve any disputes that arise between employee and employer. Arbitration is the out-of-court resolution of a dispute between parties to a contract (in this case, the employee and employer) decided by an impartial third party (the arbitrator).
There are some benefits to arbitration if something goes wrong for you alone because it can be easier and faster to navigate than going to court. That being said, if you would prefer to have access to class action lawsuits, then opting out might be the better option for you.
Generally there's no real benefit to the employee for binding arbitration. There's definitely disadvantages. Most tend to include, as yours apparently does, clauses forbidding bringing class actions against the employer.
Courts vary in requiring “mutuality” of agreement to submit claims to arbitration. That is, some courts require, as a condition of enforcement, that the employer agree to submit any clams it has against the employee to arbitration as well as requiring the employee to do so with claims against the employer.
Arbitration agreements have become a common feature in employment contracts across the United States, including California. These agreements require employees to waive their right to sue their employers in court and instead resolve disputes through arbitration.
Much like the opening statement in a trial, your arbitration statement should lay out what the “evidence” – the written material – will show regarding the proper credit on the project. The Arbitration Statement is not established fact, just your assessment of the material.
Outline a concise factual background and then move on to a discussion of the issues at the heart of the case. Your arguments should flow easily from the relevant facts and applicable law. And, by all means, avoid exaggeration of the strengths of your case as well as disparagement of the opposing side.
Much like the opening statement in a trial, your arbitration statement should lay out what the “evidence” – the written material – will show regarding the proper credit on the project. The Arbitration Statement is not established fact, just your assessment of the material.