Major revelations of sexual harassment in the workplace have started a long-overdue movement to protect all workers, but most often women, from a long history of abuse. You would think our major corporations would be taking the lead in stamping out these injustices. Instead, way too many are actually doing the opposite by writing “forced arbitration” clauses into employment contracts that prevent an employee from taking action in court. Instead, harassment disputes are forced into closed arbitrations that almost always favor the company and hide the outcome from the public. This has to stop!
Thousands of employers across the nation are sneaking a loophole into employment contracts called “forced,” “binding” or “mandatory arbitration.” This fine print prevents employees from suing companies in court for discrimination, sexual harassment and even assault, then prohibits victims from speaking publicly about their ordeals. Meanwhile, the federal government looks the other way ...