Signed an Arbitration Agreement? You May Still Be Owed Wages.
An arbitration agreement does not erase your right to fair pay. If your employer shorted your wages, we can help you understand your options, in or out of court.
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What Is Arbitration?
When you started your job, you may have signed an arbitration agreement without giving it much thought. Many employees do. But signing one does not mean you give up your rights if your employer fails to pay you properly. Federal and state wage laws still protect you, regardless of what you signed.
Arbitration is not a loophole that allows employers to ignore the law. It is simply a private process for resolving legal disputes. Instead of presenting your case in court before a judge or jury, both sides present their evidence to a neutral arbitrator, who issues a final, binding decision. Many employers prefer arbitration because it is often faster than going to court and the proceedings are generally private. However, that does not mean the process is unfair or that your employer has all the advantage. You still have the right to hire an attorney, present evidence, and pursue the full wages and other compensation you may be owed under the law.
The Federal Arbitration Act and Your Rights
The Federal Arbitration Act, or FAA, is the main law behind most arbitration agreements. Courts have upheld these agreements in many wage cases. Some agreements even waive your right to join a class action, which means you are not allowed to join a larger group, and must handle your case alone. But the FAA has real limits, and several court rulings still protect workers today.
What The FAA Does
The FAA generally makes arbitration agreements enforceable and pushes wages disputes out of court and into private arbitration.
Where It Has Limits
Certain workers and certain claims may fall outside the FAA. Whether it applies can depend on your job and how your agreement is written.
What Still Applies
Minimum wage, overtime, and anti-retaliation protections still apply in arbitration. Signing an agreement does not waive your right to be paid fairly and legally.
Rulings That May Affect Your Case
Epic Systems Corp. v. Lewis (2018)
The Supreme Court ruled that employers can often require workers to arbitrate alone, not as a group. This made class action waivers more common in job contracts.
What this means for you
You are still allowed and able to bring your own claim. Even without a class action.
Southwest Airlines Co. v. Saxon (2022)
The Supreme Court ruled that some transportation workers may be exempt from the FAA. This applies to workers directly involved in moving goods across state lines.
What this means for you
If you work in interstate transportation, an arbitration agreement may not apply to you. Even if you signed one.
Viking River Cruises, Inc. v. Moriana (2022)
The Supreme Court looked at how arbitration agreements interact with state group-claim laws.
What this means for you
The rules on group and class claims keep changing. Whether your claim can go forward in court often depends on your state, your job type, and the agreement that you signed.
Benefits of Arbitration
If you've already signed an agreement, and do have to go through arbitration, the process still offers some real advantages. Just because you've already signed an agreement at work, doesn't mean you should be worried or scared that you won't get your money.
Faster Decisions
Court cases can, in some cases, drag on for years. Arbitration can usually move faster, and often reach a resolution within months.
Less Formal Process
Court rules and settings can feel overwhelming. Arbitration is generally less formal, and going through the process is usually less intimidating, especially if it's your first time being involved in a court case.
It's Kept Private
Public court cases can sometimes expose work history, or other details that people may not want available to all. Arbitration is confidential, so your dispute and all other details stay private.
A Say In the Decision Maker
Both sides help pick the arbitrator. This helps the process remain fair and neutral.
A Clear, Final Answer
The arbitrator's decision is usually final. Appeals are rare, so the process ends cleanly, and you can move forward.
Wage and Hour Claims We Take To Arbitration
Just because the process is different, does not mean that your pay type is automatically excluded or limited when it comes to your case. If your rights were violated and you are owed, we can help you find out if your claim is eligible.
Unpaid Overtime
Independent Contractor Misclassification
Off-the-Clock Work
Tip Theft
Minimum Wage Violations
Meal & Rest Break Violations
Unpaid Commissions
Unpaid Training Time
Time Shaving
Expense Reimbursement Failures
Untimely Wage Payments
Frequently Asked Questions
It costs nothing. We offer free and confidential case reviews to help you understand your options. We do not charge any upfront legal fees. We only receive attorney fees if we win a financial recovery for you.
Getting started takes just a few minutes. You can fill out our secure online form or call our office directly. A case manager will review your job details, look for qualifying wage violations, and let you know whether you may have a claim. This initial review is free and takes only a few minutes.
Federal and state laws prohibit employers from punishing or terminating workers for reporting wage violations or participating in a legal claim. This type of unfair treatment is called retaliation, and it is illegal. If your employer takes adverse action against you, our firm can advise you on your rights.
No. Your initial consultation with our firm is private and confidential. We will not contact your employer or notify them that you spoke with us. You can check your eligibility and learn about your rights without your employer's knowledge.
How Our Wage Recovery Process Works
Start your free, no-risk case review in about 10 minutes.
Submit Your Secure Form
Tell us about your missing pay through our confidential online form. We will review your details and follow up within 24 hours. Need answers right away? Call (888) 992-2990.
Get Your Free Consultation
A case manager will spend about 10 minutes reviewing your situation, looking for qualifying violations like unpaid overtime, off-the-clock work, or regular rate errors. Clear advice, no obligation.
We Build Your Case
If you have a valid claim, we get to work right away. Our team handles the paperwork, gathers the evidence, and builds a legal strategy suited to your situation.
We Recover Your Wages
Once we have the facts, our legal team pursues the full amount you are owed. You receive updates throughout the process and pay nothing out of pocket. Attorney fees are collected only if we win.
Talk to a Wage and Hour Arbitration Attorney
We offer free, confidential consultations and only get paid if we recover money for you. Find out what you could be eligible for, arbitration agreement or not.