Google workers support proposed US laws to curb mandatory arbitration

FILE PHOTO: The Google logo is pictured at the entrance to the Google offices in London, Britain January 18, 2019. REUTERS/Hannah McKay

SAN FRANCISCO: Six Google employees on Feb 28 joined US lawmakers to support bills that would ban mandatory arbitration in employment and consumer contracts, as the workers seek to build on recent success in getting the Alphabet Inc company to drop some arbitration provisions.

Mandatory arbitration, which prevents people from taking disputes to court, has become a big target for workers' rights activists in recent years. They have expressed concern that requiring private arbitration helps businesses facing harassment and discrimination allegations to avoid public scrutiny.