Walsworth Defeats All Claims in Employment Arbitration

Walsworth Partner Jeanne Tollison secured a complete defense victory for a California automotive dealership in an employment arbitration involving claims of disability discrimination, failure to accommodate, retaliation, wrongful termination, and wage and hour violations. The employee originally filed suit in San Bernardino County Superior Court in July 2024, but the court granted the dealership’s motion to compel arbitration.

The employee alleged the dealership discriminated and retaliated against her based on a disability, failed to provide reasonable accommodations and engage in the interactive process, and improperly classified her as an exempt employee. She also sought unpaid overtime, meal and rest break premiums, and other wage and hour damages, as well as back pay, front pay, emotional distress damages, punitive damages, penalties, interest, attorneys’ fees, and costs.

Following a two-day arbitration hearing, Walsworth demonstrated that the dealership approved the employee’s leave requests, engaged in an ongoing interactive process regarding her work restrictions, and offered alternative positions that would have accommodated those restrictions. The arbitrator found insufficient evidence to support the employee’s discrimination and retaliation claims.

The arbitrator also determined that the employee was properly classified as exempt, rejecting her wage and hour claims. In the final award, the arbitrator concluded that the employee failed to meet her burden of proof on any cause of action and denied all claims for damages and other relief, resulting in a complete defense victory for Walsworth’s client.