Can I be fired for not signing an arbitration agreement in California?
Asked by: Caitlyn Swift | Last update: August 10, 2025Score: 4.5/5 (58 votes)
Under California law, you cannot be fired solely for refusing to sign an arbitration agreement. The California Labor Code provides strong protections for employees, ensuring that refusal to sign an arbitration agreement cannot be used as grounds for termination.
Can my employer fire me for not signing an arbitration agreement?
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.
Are arbitration agreements mandatory in California?
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.
What happens when you opt out of an arbitration agreement?
If you opt out of an arbitration clause, you'll have the option to file legal action in court against the company if wrongs you. In the case of Citibank, customers can opt out by writing and mailing a letter back to the company—there is no form to fill out or prepaid envelope to use.
What happens if you don't agree with arbitration?
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.
Can I Be Fired For Not Signing An Arbitration Agreement
Can I decline an arbitration agreement?
The decision does mean that employers can be held civilly and criminally liable if they refuse to hire an employee who declines to sign the arbitration employment agreement – or fires the employee for not signing an arbitration agreement. Nothing though prevents the employee from accepting an arbitration agreement.
Can a company force you into arbitration?
Yes. For a variety of reasons, forced arbitration is generally bad for employees. Forced arbitration deprives you of your right to access the public court system. The denial of that access – without you being able to make a meaningful voluntary choice to surrender that right – is a significant loss.
Can you refuse to participate in arbitration?
If a court stays a case, instead of dismissing it, and the individual then proceeds to arbitration, the defendant may refuse to pay arbitration fees or otherwise participate in the arbitration proceeding. This will allow the individual to go back to the same court to lift the stay.
How do you avoid signing an arbitration agreement?
Ask them if they will allow you to sign the contract without the arbitration clause. If they say yes, then take advantage of this, and opt out of the arbitration clause. One step you can take, is simply, to take your pen and cross out all of the languages that mention arbitration.
Can you walk away from arbitration?
Many arbitration clauses have an “opt-out” clause that allows you to opt out of arbitration within 30 days of signing and retain your right to bring a class action in court.
Can I be fired for not signing an arbitration agreement in California in 2024?
Under California law, you cannot be fired solely for refusing to sign an arbitration agreement. The California Labor Code provides strong protections for employees, ensuring that refusal to sign an arbitration agreement cannot be used as grounds for termination.
What are the arbitration rules for employees in California?
Arbitration Requirements in California
Under California law, an employer can require its employees to agree to arbitration as a term of employment. However, if the agreement has too many unfair or biased conditions, courts may refuse to enforce the arbitration agreement or chop off the unfair terms.
Can you refuse binding arbitration?
Some contracts give you the right to opt out of the forced arbitration clause within a certain period of time, often 30 to 60 days, after signing the agreement by notifying the company that you wish to opt out. Check your contract for the deadline and for specific instructions for opting out.
Is an unsigned arbitration agreement enforceable?
Notably, arbitration provisions in contracts are sometimes enforceable even when one or both parties do not sign the contract.
Can you still sue after signing an arbitration agreement?
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.
Are arbitration agreements bad for employees?
Federal and state regulators can still prosecute employers when employees file actions against businesses for violating pay, discrimination, or other laws and regulations. Arbitration may invoke a negative perception from employees, potentially contributing to morale concerns.
Are arbitration agreements legal in California?
California law permits employers not to hire you if you refuse to sign an arbitration agreement. An arbitration agreement is where you waive your right to sue in the event of a dispute.
Why do employers prefer arbitration?
A very good question, and the answer is that there are many reasons why employers want employees to sign agreements to arbitrate. Most of them start with a dollar sign: Employers believe that they stand to lose less often -- and less money -- in arbitration than they would in court.
What voids an arbitration agreement?
However, if a plaintiff unwittingly entered into an arbitration agreement due to coercion or deception, or if the terms of the arbitration agreement undermine the plaintiff's ability to vindicate their rights, courts can and sometimes do step in and invalidate the contract.
Can a company force you to use arbitration?
An employer cannot force an employee to sign an arbitration agreement for the same reason that the employee cannot compel their employer to do so: it must be signed willingly.
Is it better to settle or go to arbitration?
In most cases, arbitration tends to be more cost-effective. While arbitrator's fees can be significant, the overall expenses are generally lower because of limited discovery and quicker resolution.
What happens if one party doesn't agree to arbitration?
Seeking a Court Order: In some cases, the party seeking arbitration may file a motion with the court, asking the court to compel the non-participating party to participate in the arbitration process.
How does arbitration work in California?
Binding arbitration means that the parties waive their right to a trial and agree to accept the arbitrator's decision as final. Generally, there is no right to appeal an arbitrator's decision. Non-binding arbitration means that the parties are free to request a trial if they do not accept the arbitrator's decision.
Should you ever agree to arbitration?
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.
What happens if you don't go to arbitration?
If the defendant doesn't show up, and no valid reason is given for his/her absence, the arbitrator will hear the plaintiff's claim and make a decision based on the plaintiff's evidence in the defendant's absence.