On February 10, Congress passed the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act and sent the Act to President Biden for signature. President Biden is expected to sign the bill this week, which will become law immediately upon signature by the President.

This Act makes pre-dispute arbitration agreements relating to sexual assault or sexual harassment void. Similarly, any class or collective action waiver in pre-dispute arbitration agreements involving sexual assault or sexual harassment are void. This means that employees who allege sexual harassment in the workplace will be able to pursue their claims in court (after filing with the appropriate administrative agency, if necessary under state or federal law), regardless of whether they previously signed an arbitration agreement.

Employees and former employees can still agree after a dispute arises to send sexual harassment claims to arbitration, and nothing in the Act prevents an employee from agreeing to waive a jury trial. However, there may be implications under other laws relating to the waiver of the right to a jury trial, so employers will want to consult with counsel and consider options carefully.