Bloomberg Law
July 14, 2021, 4:27 PMUpdated: July 14, 2021, 8:41 PM

Lawmakers Crossing Aisle to End Harassment Claim Arbitration (1)

Paige Smith
Paige Smith
Reporter

A cohort of bipartisan U.S. lawmakers introduced legislation aimed at ending the enforceability of mandatory arbitration agreements for workers alleging sexual harassment or assault.

The bill, called the “Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Harassment Act,” is backed by former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson and would prohibit the pre-dispute agreements from being enforceable if a worker wishes to sue an employer rather than resolve the dispute via arbitration.

“Removing those provisions would give survivors their day in court,” said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), one of the sponsors of the bill. “It would allow them to discuss their cases ...