Chipotle Court Loss Fuels Harassment Arbitration Law Scope Fight

A federal appeals court’s rejection of Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc.'s attempt to force a former worker’s sexual harassment and assault claims into arbitration under a landmark 2022 law because of timing sets the stage for more showdowns as judges further assess the statute’s reach.

A three-judge panel of the US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit ruled Aug. 5 that the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act covers the former worker’s workplace assault claim against the restaurant chain—even though the alleged misconduct occurred before the law took effect.

The Eighth Circuit has become the first ...