The Risks of Refusing to Sign Usually, an employer can rescind an employment offer if a prospective employee refuses to sign the arbitration agreement. And an employer can fire an at-will employee who refuses to sign one. Therefore, declining to sign the agreement could jeopardize your job.
Should you sign an arbitration agreement? If you agree to engage in a possible future arbitration voluntarily, mutually determine the ground rules of arbitration and agree to choose an impartial arbitrator together, you are likely to find arbitration to be not only inexpensive and fast but also fair.
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.
Arbitration is a fairer, faster, and less expensive way to resolve disputes than time-consuming and expensive litigation.
As a general rule you should opt out of arbitration when you sign any agreement with a company.
In some instances, you may be able to sue if you signed a valid arbitration agreement. While courts generally favor arbitration agreements, they will allow you to file a lawsuit if either you didn't understand your rights or your claims fall outside the arbitration provision's scope.
The arbitrator's decision can give parties a realistic idea of the outcome of their case. If neither party appeals the decision, it will be binding, like an order by a judge. However, a party unhappy with the arbitrator's decision can request a new trial before a judge.
How long will it take to resolve my dispute through arbitration? Usually it can take up to 40 days. However, many arbitration claims are resolved sooner.
The court said the state law is preempted by the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA). As a result, Assembly Bill 51 no longer stands as an obstacle to employers that wish to require arbitration agreements as a condition of employment in California, so long as the FAA applies and governs the agreement.