It may. I am assuming the arbitration agreement would say that you will agree to arbitrate any dispute rather than sue in court. However, whether the agreement would waive your rights depends on many factors. For instance, the arbitration agreement cant prevent you from filing a charge with EEOC or the local civil rights commission. Also, if you have no power to negotiate any portion of the agreement, and the employer does not pay you something for agreeing to sign the agreement, it could be what lawyers call a "contract of adhesion" which could be invalid. I think you should assume that if you sign an arbitration agreement it would be valid and that you would be agreeing to waive the right to go to court, however.
Answered on Jan 03rd, 2012 at 9:46 AM