Shiekh Shoes Loses Arbitration Bid in Ex-Worker’s Sex Bias Suit

Shiekh Shoes LLC’s loss in its effort to compel arbitration of a former employee’s sex discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims was upheld by a California appeals court.

The shoe retailer failed to reasonably explain its delay in demanding arbitration and acted inconsistently with its alleged intent to arbitrate, including by demanding a trial and engaging in rounds of discovery, the California Court of Appeal, First Appellate District, ruled Monday.

Britani Davis signed an arbitration agreement with Shiekh when she started working as a sales associate in August 2018, according to the opinion. She resigned three months later, citing ongoing sexually ...