Another California Court of Appeal provides employers with a victory with respect to the enforcement of arbitration agreements. Affirming an order compelling arbitration in a class action for California Labor Code violations, a California Court of Appeal ruled that the employee was required to arbitrate her individual wage and hour claims against her employer because the parties’ arbitration agreement was neither unconscionable, nor in violation of public policy. Nelsen v. Legacy Partners Residential, Inc., No. A132927 (Cal. Ct. App. Jul. 18, 2012).   Significantly, the Court rejected the employee’s reliance on D.R. Horton, Inc., 357 NLRB No. 184 (2012) in which the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”) ruled that class action waivers in employment arbitration agreements violated the National Labor Relations Act (“NLRA). The Court noted it was not inclined to follow the NLRB decision, as it was not binding and went beyond the scope of the NLRB’s expertise. 

The Court’s decision provides employers with several positive developments, including the enforcement of an arbitration agreement and the Court’s well-reasoned critique of D.R. Horton.  Nevertheless, employers should be aware that arbitration agreements, including those with class action waivers, remain subject to challenge in California and in other forums, including before the NLRB.  At present, the NLRB appears committed to enforcing D.R. Horton and striking down class action waivers in arbitration agreements under its jurisdiction. As a result, employers should consult with their legal counsel when reviewing the enforceability of arbitration agreements.

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Photo of Jonathan A. Siegel Jonathan A. Siegel

Jonathan A. Siegel is one of the founding Principals of the Orange County, California, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. He practices before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, National Labor Relations Board, state and federal agencies and courts.

Mr. Siegel also provides advice and…

Jonathan A. Siegel is one of the founding Principals of the Orange County, California, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. He practices before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, National Labor Relations Board, state and federal agencies and courts.

Mr. Siegel also provides advice and counsel regarding labor and employment law with respect to various issues ranging from wage and hour law, reduction in force, WARN Act, discipline, leave management and harassment and discrimination issues. Mr. Siegel defends employers regarding different varieties of wrongful termination and discrimination claims.

Mr. Siegel has represented management in union organizing drives and regularly defends employers in unfair labor practice proceedings as well as in collective bargaining and arbitrations. He also has extensive experience conducting wage and hour preventive audits. He conducts single location and multi-location audits for employers. The scope of such audits can range from examining specific issues, i.e., exempt status under federal law and California, to comprehensive FLSA and California Labor Code audits. Mr. Siegel has conducted audits for a wide range of industries including, but not limited to manufacturing, retail, transportation, various service industries, defense contractors and healthcare.

Mr. Siegel regularly speaks on a variety of topics including wage and hour, harassment/discrimination, national and California employment trends, Workers’ Compensation, EEO, managing leaves of absence under FMLA and state leave laws and union avoidance. He has moderated numerous programs and is featured as a keynote speaker for several different organizations.