Google will end forced arbitration for employees – CNET

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Google will reportedly end forced arbitration for employees. 


Tobias Schwarz / AFP/Getty Images

Forced arbitration is out at Google. The search giant said Thursday it’ll no longer require current and future staff to go through mandatory arbitration for disputes with the company. 

The change goes into effect on March 21, according to Google. The search giant will also remove mandatory arbitration from its own employment agreements with contract and temporary staff, though the change won’t impact staffing firms. Axios earlier reported the change. 

This comes after Google employees in November walked out of their offices to protest the company’s handling of sexual harassment claims. One of their demands was to end forced arbitration in cases of sexual harassment and discrimination. In January, some Google employees launched a social media campaign to pressure the company and other tech companies to drop mandatory arbitration.

Mandatory arbitration often means workers can’t take their employers to court when they complain internally. The campaign organizers said 60 million Americans are affected by forced arbitration.

Other tech giants have made similar moves. Uber in May dropped all arbitration agreements it had with riders, drivers and staff over individual claims of sexual assault or harassment. The ride-hailing giant also ended confidentiality provisions that prevented victims from speaking out. Facebook in November said it will no longer force staff to settle sexual harassment claims through private arbitration. 

First published on Feb. 21, 1:18 p.m. PT.
Update, 2:34 p.m. PT: Adds more information from Google. 

source: cnet.com