Mandatory Arbitration Agreement

As a condition of employment at Cassano’s, you agree to resolve certain disputes through binding arbitration rather than through a lawsuit in court. This topic explains what that means in plain language.

What Is Arbitration?

Arbitration is a private dispute resolution process. Instead of going to court before a judge and jury, both parties present their case to a neutral third party called an arbitrator. The arbitrator reviews the evidence and issues a binding decision.

It is faster and less expensive than litigation — for both sides.

What Disputes Are Covered

The arbitration agreement covers disputes between you and Cassano’s related to your employment, including:

• Wage and hour disputes (unpaid wages, overtime)
• Wrongful termination claims
• Discrimination and harassment claims (note: this does not eliminate your right to file with the EEOC or Ohio Civil Rights Commission)
• Disputes about the terms or conditions of employment

What Is NOT Covered

The following are not subject to mandatory arbitration:

• Workers’ compensation claims (handled through Ohio’s state system)
• Unemployment compensation claims
• Claims filed with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)
• Charges filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) — you may still file a charge; the arbitration agreement applies to the civil lawsuit that might follow

Class Action Waiver

The arbitration agreement includes a waiver of class or collective action. This means disputes are resolved individually — you cannot join a class-action lawsuit against Cassano’s, and Cassano’s cannot use arbitration in a class proceeding against employees.

Your Rights Are Not Eliminated

Arbitration changes the process for resolving disputes — it does not eliminate your substantive rights. If Cassano’s violates Ohio wage law, the arbitrator applies Ohio wage law. If a discrimination claim is valid, an arbitrator can award damages just as a court can.