Employment Arbitration Clause Explained

Summary

Employment agreements often include arbitration clauses for dispute resolution. This means any disputes will be settled through arbitration in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. However, either party can seek preliminary injunctive relief in court. The agreement is governed by Pennsylvania laws. If you back out of a job offer before starting, there may be specific terms in the agreement that outline consequences. Always consult a lawyer for personalized advice.

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i wanted to know what this means.. it was stated on an employment offer i received
Hello Matt, could you please provide the specific statement from the employment offer that you need help with? This will help me to provide the most accurate information to you.
"Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, any dispute, claim or controversy arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or the breach thereof, or concerning the scope, interpretation, or application of this agreement, shall be settled by final and binding arbitration before and in accordance with the National Employment Dispute Resolution Rules of the American Arbitration Association in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The judgment upon any award rendered by the arbitrator or arbitrators may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction. Notwithstanding this agreement to arbitrate, neither party waives the right to seek through judicial process preliminary injunctive relief to preserve the status quo or prevent irreparable injury before the ****er can be heard in arbitration. The Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania."
Hello Matt,
This clause means:
- Any disputes related to this agreement will be settled through arbitration in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
- Despite agreeing to arbitration, either party can seek preliminary injunctive relief in court.
- The agreement is governed by Pennsylvania laws.
does it mean if i back out of the job offer before starting the job that i could be sued?
In general, employment agreements are at-will, meaning you can leave at any time. However, if there are specific terms in the agreement about backing out before starting, there may be consequences. Always consult a lawyer before making such decisions.