Chipotle Worker Avoids Arbitration of Sexual Harassment Dispute

Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. and a related company can’t require a female employee to arbitrate claims arising from her alleged workplace rape.

The ruling Thursday adds to a divide among federal trial judges on how to determine when a worker is permitted to invoke the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act to keep claims in court. With its ruling denying Chipotle’s motion to compel arbitration, the US District Court for the District of Minnesota joined two other federal courts in reading the EFAA’s use of the word “dispute” to mean when a disagreement arises between an ...