Originally from Dispute Resolution Journal

A new set of rules from the American Arbitration Association to govern the arbitration of discrimination claims raised by individual employees is presented. Rather than seeking the enforcement of statutory rights through the courts or federal administrative agencies, employees may wish to have their claims settled more rapidly at the workplace through procedures that will offer full protection to the employee.

Represented by attorneys, the parties will stipulate the dispute to be decided (and the law applicable to the case), the method of selecting an arbitrator, and appropriate hearing procedures. Both parties will agree in advance that the award will be binding. Due process will be ensured through orderly procedures, with the introduction in some cases of prearbitration discovery and the filing of briefs, and reliance by the arbitrator on rules of evidence. With these procedures, it is anticipated that the courts will enforce the awards.