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Podcast: Supreme Court Aids Employers in Arbitration Cases

The Supreme Court has ruled that companies may force their employees to arbitrate their workplace disputes individually, rather than as part of a class action. It's a ruling that could affect an estimated 25 million employment contracts and has a host of other implications.

This podcast examines the closely watched case of Epic Systems vs. Lewis and what it means for employers with Seyfarth Shaw employment attorney Gerald Maatman, who chairs the firm's class action defense group.

The contracts at issue required employees to submit their wage and hour claims to binding arbitration and to do so only on an individual basis. But Maatman notes that the Supreme Court's ruling is not necessarily limited to those cases and could affect binding arbitration of sexual harassment claims and other issues.

While the decision benefits employers, it is possible that not all of the consequences will be positive, according to Maatman. For instance, the ruling could lead plaintiffs' attorneys to file individual arbitration claims early and more often - which Maatman said could be "death by 1,000 cuts." For more of his insights on the case and what it means for employers, listen in to the podcast.

Additional Resources

Supreme Court Restricts Employee Class Actions in Pro-Arbitration Ruling

Transcript