In a decision likely to have significant ramifications for employers, a divided panel of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled last week that employers cannot require employees to individually arbitrate their claims by way of “separate proceedings.” In Morris v. Ernst & Young, LLP, No. 13-16599, D.C. No. 5:12-cv-04964 (9th Cir. August 22, 2016), the Ninth Circuit joined the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals and the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB or Board) in holding that requiring employees to sign an agreement precluding them from bringing concerted legal claims violates § 7 and § 8 of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).
The decision means that, at least for now, employers within the Ninth Circuit cannot prevent class and/or collective actions by mandating individual arbitration.