New Jersey Employment Law Articles http://www.elinfonet.com/starticles/31 Articles discussing workplace law in New Jersey. Sat, 05 Jul 2008 09:07:34 EST en-us Governor Corzine Signs Bill to Prevent July Tax Increase to Employers. http://www.elinfonet.com/newscount.php?stateID=2315 Article: 2315 Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST elin@elinfonet.com (Employment Law Information Network) On June 19, Governor Jon Corzine signed S1698 into law authorizing a supplemental appropriation of $260 million from the State’s 2008 budget surplus to prevent a scheduled July tax increase on employers due to the depletion of State unemployment compensation funds. Plant Closing Relief Bills Introduced. http://www.elinfonet.com/newscount.php?stateID=2314 Article: 2314 Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST elin@elinfonet.com (Employment Law Information Network) Three bills were introduced in the Senate and the Assembly that would provide additional protections for workers affected by plant closings, transfers and mass layoffs. Package of Significant Workers' Compensation Reform Bills Approved by Both House and Senate; Await Consideration by Governor Corzine. http://www.elinfonet.com/newscount.php?stateID=2313 Article: 2313 Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST elin@elinfonet.com (Employment Law Information Network) In a concerted attempt to overhaul the state’s workers’ compensation system for the first time in decades, the State’s Senate and Assembly overwhelmingly approved a package of workers’ compensation reform bills on June 23 (S1913, S1914, S1915, S1916, S1917 and S1918), which now will go to Governor Corzine for his consideration. Bill to Bar Confidential Settlements by Public Entities Introduced. http://www.elinfonet.com/newscount.php?stateID=2312 Article: 2312 Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST elin@elinfonet.com (Employment Law Information Network) On June 5, a bill (A2893) was introduced which would bar public entities and employees from entering into confidential settlements, including settlements of employment disputes. Assembly Bill Introduced to Allow Corporate Officers to Make Equity Grants to Employees. http://www.elinfonet.com/newscount.php?stateID=2311 Article: 2311 Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST elin@elinfonet.com (Employment Law Information Network) An Assembly bill (A2885) introduced on June 5 would give greater flexibility to corporations in granting equity awards to employees. Bill Introduced to Speed Up Contract Negotiations Between Public Employers and Police and Fire Unions. http://www.elinfonet.com/newscount.php?stateID=2310 Article: 2310 Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST elin@elinfonet.com (Employment Law Information Network) A bill (A2243) recently was introduced to accelerate the process for resolving contract negotiations between public employers and police and fire unions. Senate Bill Introduced to Authorize Same-Sex Marriage in New Jersey. http://www.elinfonet.com/newscount.php?stateID=2309 Article: 2309 Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST elin@elinfonet.com (Employment Law Information Network) A bill introduced in the Senate on June 9 (S1967) and Assembly on June 16 (A2978), the “Freedom of Religion and Equality in Civil Marriage Act,” would authorize same-sex marriage in New Jersey and simultaneously would allow clergy to refuse to solemnize same-sex marriages. Senate Bill Would Create a Workers' Compensation Ombudsman. http://www.elinfonet.com/newscount.php?stateID=2308 Article: 2308 Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST elin@elinfonet.com (Employment Law Information Network) A bill (S1982) introduced in the Senate on June 16 would create a Workers’ Compensation Ombudsman for Injured Workers. The governor-appointed Ombudsman would be an advocate for injured workers by accepting, investigating, and attempting to resolve complaints related to workers’ compensation. Deferred Compensation Plan Lawful Under State Wage and Hour Law Despite Forfeiture Provision. http://www.elinfonet.com/newscount.php?stateID=2307 Article: 2307 Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST elin@elinfonet.com (Employment Law Information Network) Rosen v. Smith Barney, Inc., A-49-07, (N.J. June 25, 2008) — A voluntary deferred compensation plan, in which employees’ contributions from their wages were invested in company stock purchased at a discount, does not violate the State Wage and Hour Law’s restriction on deductions from employees’ wages, despite the fact that the plan provided for a forfeiture of unvested stock interests if the employees terminated their employment during the two year vesting period after the stock purchase. New Jersey Supreme Court Committee Recommends Mandatory CLE for All NJ Attorneys, Including In-House Counsel. http://www.elinfonet.com/newscount.php?stateID=2306 Article: 2306 Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST elin@elinfonet.com (Employment Law Information Network) On May 20, 2008, the Supreme Court Ad Hoc Committee released its draft report and recommendations regarding the implementation of mandatory continuing legal education (CLE) in the state of New Jersey. Key recommendations include: 24 CLE credits to be required every two years, including 4 in ethics/professionalism; 6 non-ethics credit hours may be carried over to the next cycle; and up to 12 credits per cycle may be earned through alternative formats (internet, audiotape).