Marriott Can’t Make Worker Arbitrate Pregnancy, Gender Bias Suit

Marriott International Inc. and related companies must face a Westin Maui sales director’s pregnancy and gender-related bias claims claims in court, a San Francisco federal judge ruled, rejecting the hospitality company’s bid to shift the dispute to binding arbitration.

The arbitration agreement the now-former employee signed was with the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co., when she previously held the same role at for that chain in San Francisco. Marriott Intentional and co-defendants Marriott International Administrative Services Inc., and Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide Inc. only showed they were affiliated with Ritz-Carton, not that they were “related entities” for purposes of getting the ...