Ora

Is it hard to win in arbitration?

Published in Arbitration Outcomes 2 mins read

Yes, for employees, particularly in discrimination cases, winning in arbitration can be significantly more challenging compared to traditional court litigation. Arbitration is a common method for resolving disputes, often a condition of employment, where an employee might complain about biased or unfair treatment.

Understanding Employee Win Rates

Research highlights a notable disparity in success rates for employees when their discrimination cases go to arbitration versus court. For instance, studies indicate that employees have a significantly lower chance of winning their cases in an arbitration forum.

Consider the following comparison of employee win rates in discrimination cases across different venues:

Forum Employee Win Rate (Discrimination Cases)
Federal Court 36.4%
State Court 43.8%
Arbitration 21.4%

As shown, the win rate for employees in arbitration (21.4%) is considerably lower than in federal court (36.4%) or state court (43.8%). This suggests a more challenging environment for employees seeking favorable outcomes in arbitration.

Why the Difference?

While the specifics can vary by case and arbitration agreement, the statistics suggest that the arbitration process, especially in employment-related disputes like discrimination, may present unique hurdles for employees. The structure and dynamics of arbitration, when mandated as a condition of employment, can often favor the employer, making it harder for an employee to prevail.

For more detailed insights, you can explore resources on the chances of winning arbitration, such as those found on ADR Times.