Arbitration awards that direct a remedy (e.g., returning an employee to work, payment of benefits, or ordering change in a particular management practice) are not self-enforcing. Parties may return to the arbitrator for clarification of an award based on their agreement or the arbitrator’s retained jurisdiction. However, if a party (ordinarily the employer) refuses to comply with an award, the party seeking enforcement may go into court to obtain an appropriate order. State arbitration laws generally entitle parties to enforce arbitration awards through the courts.
