Employment & Labor Lawyers in New Jersey
At the Reinartz Law Firm, we adamantly protect the rights of New Jersey employees in workplace matters involving discrimination, harassment, and unfair treatment. If you suspect you're the victim of unfair workplace practices call us today for a free confidential consultation to discuss your case.
Topics Covered Here:
What is Employment Law?
Employment law covers a wide range of employee rights in the workplace and the responsibility of employers to keep the workplace free of discrimination and harassment. We represent employees in this regard and seek compensation for those employees treated unfairly.
Common Employment Issues
Employees in New Jersey have rights and protections afforded to them under law. These include rights concerning discrimination, harassment, fair wages, and more. The most common are:
- Discrimination - Employees and those seeking employment are protected from discrimination based on a set of characteristics such as race, ethnicity, and gender.
- Sexual Harassment - Considered discrimination, sexual harassment happens when there is inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace and causes a hostile work environment
- Wage Violations - Employers are required to offer fair pay including at least minimum wage, overtime, and other requirements
- Wrongful Termination - While New Jersey is an "at will" employment state, your employer is prohibited for terminating employment in retaliation for filing a complaint or for a protected characteristic.
Labor Laws in New Jersey
There are several laws in New Jersey that govern the treatment of employees. They include:
- The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD or LAD) - This body of law prohibits discrimination and harassment based on protected characteristics. This makes it illegal to discriminate against employees with the following:
- Race
- Color
- Creed or National Origin
- Age
- Ancentry
- Sex
- Marital Status
- Pregnancy
- Gender Identity
- Disability
- Sexual Orientation
The LAD also prohibits retaliation against employees who file a discrimination complaint or participate in someone else's complaint.
- New Jersey Pregnant Worker's Fairness Act (NJPWFA) - The NJPWFA requires an employer to provide accommodations to employees who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or recovering from a recent birth. The accomodations include:
- Bathroom breaks
- Access to drinking water or water bottles
- Rest periods
- Modifications to work schedule or job duties
- Help with tasks requiring manual labor
- Access to a reasonable location to breastfeed
- Equal Pay under LAD - The LAD also protects employees against unfair compensation based on the same set of protected characteristics. It prohibits pay that is less than someone outside the protected classes for the same work. There are exceptions if your employer can demonstrate that the disparity in pay is due to:
- Differnces in training, education, or experience
- The factors determining pay are not based on protected characteristics
- Other factors that determine wage rate
- New Jersey's Conscientious Employee Protection Act - This law makes it illegal to retaliate against someone who:
- Raises issues with their employer about illegal or deceptive behavior at the workplace widely coined as a whistleblower
- Testifies or otherwise cooperates with a government hearing or investigation
- Refuses to participate in any activity which they believe violates a law, they deem harmful or deceptive, or relates to improper patient care
- The New Jersey Family Leave Act (NJFLA) - The NJFLA requires employers with 20 employees or more to allow their employees to take up to 12 weeks a year in unpaid leave for reasons including:
- Birth of a child
- The care of a family member with a serious health condition
Getting Help
If you suspect you are being discriminated against or harassed in the workplace you can seek legal assistance. The Reinartz Law Firm offers a free consultation to privately discuss your specific scenario and assess whether you have a claim. Contact us today and protect your legal rights.
The Reinartz Law Firm - Hackensack Office
Court Plaza South - West Wing
21 Main St Suite 205,
Hackensack, NJ 07601
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