Agreement to Arbitrate
Because of, among other things, the delay and expense which result from the use of the court systems, the Hartford Restaurant Group Family of independent restaurants including, without limitation, WNT LLC, WNT II LLC, WNT III LLC, WNT IV LLC, WNT V LLC, WNT VI LLC, WNT VII LLC, 410 Queen Street Partners Southington LLC, HRG Catering LLC, WNT Newington, LLC, WNT Hamden, LLC and HRG Management LLC and any authorized agent thereof (sometimes collectively referred to as the "Company" or "Companies", and /or their current or former employees) and I agree that any legal or equitable claims or disputes arising out of or in connection with the employment, terms and conditions of employment, or termination of employment will be settled exclusively by binding arbitration instead of in a court of law or equity. This agreement applies to all disputes involving legally protected rights (e.g., local, state and federal statutory, contractual or common law rights) regardless of whether the statute was enacted or the common law doctrine was recognized at the time this agreement was signed. I understand that this agreement does not limit my ability to complete any external administrative remedy (such as with the EEOC).
The arbitration proceedings shall take place in Hartford, CT in accordance with the National Rules for Resolution of Employment Disputes (National Rules) of the American Arbitration Association (AAA) in effect at the time that the demand for arbitration is made. There will be one arbitrator chosen by mutual agreement of the parties. If, within thirty days after the employee notifies the employer of an arbitration dispute and no arbitrator has been chosen, then an arbitrator will be chosen by AAA pursuant to its National Rules. The arbitrator shall coordinate and limit as appropriate all pre-arbitration discovery (e.g., document production, information requests, depositions). The arbitrator shall issue a written decision and award (if any) stating the reasons for the decision and award. The decision shall be exclusive, final and binding on both parties, their heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, and may be entered and enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction. The employee is entitled to representation by an attorney throughout the proceedings at his or her own expense. The costs and expenses of the arbitration shall be borne evenly by the parties, unless otherwise awarded by the arbitrator in the final, written decision.
I understand that by signing this agreement that I am agreeing to substitute one legitimate dispute resolution form (arbitration) for another (litigation), thereby waiving any right to have my dispute resolved in court. This substitution involves no surrender, by either party, of any substantive statutory or common law benefits, protection, or defense.
I understand that if I should become employed by any of the Companies, such employment is conditioned upon this Agreement and I understand that this Agreement must be read and signed in order for me to be considered for employment with any of the Companies. The parties agree that this is not intended to add to, create, or imply any contractual or other right of employment. The parties employment relationship is at will, and no other inference is to be drawn from this Agreement.
I have read the above carefully and understand it fully.
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