In Texas, employers and employees can contractually waive the right to a trial by jury by including a jury waiver provision in a contract that governs their relationship. Then, instead of a jury determining the outcome of any lawsuit arising from the employment relationship, a judge would hear the testimony and act as the finder of fact.
While some employers prefer to arbitrate employment disputes, a jury waiver enables an employer to take advantage of the other rights that exist in a court of law while avoiding the possibility of a “runaway” jury and a large jury verdict.
An employer who seeks to enter into a jury waiver agreement with an employee should contact employment law counsel. While courts routinely enforce jury waiver clauses, these clauses must meet legal standards. For example, because a party’s waiver of the right to a jury trial should be knowing and voluntary, an employer cannot bury jury waiver language within an agreement or type it in tiny type and expect a court to enforce the jury waiver. Experienced employment law counsel can draft a jury waiver provision that satisfies the legal requirements.
To speak to a Dallas, Texas employment lawyer about a jury waiver clause or another employment law issue, contact the Dallas employment lawyers at Clouse Dunn Khoshbin LLP at [email protected].
