Executive Summary: Governor Chris Christie signed into law New Jersey Senate Bill S726, expanding the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination to prohibit all forms of discrimination against members of the Armed Forces and veterans. The law was signed on August 7, 2017, and took effect immediately.
Articles About New Jersey Labor And Employment Law.
New Abuse Reporting Requirements for Long-Term Care Facility Employees in New Jersey
Employees of long-term care facilities in New Jersey will soon be subject to new requirements when it comes to reporting abuse. A law recently passed by the New Jersey Legislature and signed by Governor Christie on August 7, 2017, requires these employees to contact the local police when they have “reasonable cause to suspect or believe” that an “elderly person is being or has been abused or exploited.” The law takes effect on October 6, 2017.
Will New Jersey Be Next to Jump on the (Wage History) “Ban” Wagon?
New Jersey is moving closer to enacting a law that would prohibit employers from inquiring about applicants’ salary histories. The bill, passed in the Democratic-controlled state Assembly and now the state Senate, is one of several similar bills that have passed or are being considered across the country. Governor Chris Christie now will decide whether to sign the bill into law.
Nurse’s Disability Discrimination Claims May Proceed to Trial, New Jersey Supreme Court Rules
A registered nurse employed by a New Jersey health care system for approximately 10 years may proceed to a jury trial with her disability and perceived disability claims under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination, the Supreme Court of New Jersey has ruled. Grande v. Saint Clare’s Health Sys., 2017 N.J. LEXIS 746 (July 12, 2017). Summary judgment is not appropriate in this case because significant questions of fact exist, the Court found.
New Jersey Legislature Considers Raising Minimum Wage for Subcontractors at Transportation Centers
The New Jersey Legislature is considering a bill (S-3226; A-4870) to raise the minimum wage for employees of subcontractors at Newark Liberty International Airport, Newark Penn Station, and the Hoboken Terminal. If the bill passes, the minimum wage for these employees could be as high as $17.98 an hour, which would effectively eliminate and, in fact, more than double the current state minimum wage of $8.44 an hour.
New Jersey Bill Will Make Whistleblower Settlement Agreements with Public Entities Public Records
Proposed legislation that would make whistleblower settlement agreements involving public entities available to the public has been approved unanimously by the New Jersey Assembly on March 23, 2017.
Port Authority Not Subject to Worker-Friendly New Jersey Whistleblower Law, State Court Rules
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is not subject to suit under New Jersey’s expansive whistleblower statute, the Conscientious Employee Protection Act, the New Jersey Appellate Division has held. Sullivan v. Port Auth. of N.Y. & N.J., 2017 N.J. Super. LEXIS 33 (App. Div. Mar. 15, 2017).
Double Up: New Jersey Senate Introduces Bill to Double Benefits for Paid Family Leave
The New Jersey State Senate has introduced legislation to expand benefits under the state’s Paid Family Leave Law. The bill (S-3085) would double the benefit period from six weeks to 12 weeks and increase the amount of compensation to the employee while on leave
Arbitrator Abused Discretion, New Jersey High Court Rules, Ordering Case Reviewed by New Arbitrator
An arbitrator tasked with resolving claims brought by a New Jersey school district against a faculty member erred when he impermissibly converted one count of the complaint from unbecoming conduct to one of sexual harassment and found the school district did not present sufficient evidence to support a charge of sexual harassment, the New Jersey Supreme Court has held.
New Jersey Bill Requires More Information on Pay Stubs
The New Jersey Assembly Labor Committee has voted 8-0 in favor of amending the wage notification requirements under the state Wage Payment Law to require private and public employers to provide employees a statement for each pay period that includes deductions, gross wages, net wages, rate of pay, and the number of hours worked during the pay period. Under the current law (N.J.S.A. § 34:11-4.6), employers must provide only a statement as to deductions from wages in each pay period.
New Jersey Legislature Fails to Override Governor’s Veto of Pay Equity Bill
In March 2016, the New Jersey Legislature gained bipartisan support to pass a new bill on pay equity. The bill, like many being considered by state and local governments, aimed to remedy sex discrimination in the workplace and close the wage gap.
New Jersey Seeks to Become Center Of International Arbitration
Executive Summary: New Jersey has taken the first step toward becoming a global center of international arbitration by enacting the International Arbitration, Mediation, and Conciliation Act (the “Act”) on February 6, 2017. The Act provides the framework for making New Jersey an attractive destination for resolving international business and trade disputes.
Morristown, New Jersey, Issues Paid Sick Leave Employee Notice
Morristown, New Jersey, has released the “Notice of Employee Rights to Paid Sick Time” for use by employers preparing for the Morristown Paid Sick Leave Ordinance’s January 11, 2017, effective date. (For details on the Ordinance, see our article, Morristown, New Jersey, Passes Paid Sick Leave Ordinance.)
Resource Update: New Desk Reference Provides Guidance to New Jersey Employers on State Employment Laws
Employers in New Jersey must comply with a number of state laws and regulations that often impose different or more stringent requirements on employers than those imposed by federal law. Attorneys in FordHarrison’s Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, office have prepared the New Jersey Employment Law Desk Reference to provide guidance to employers on the various New Jersey state laws. The Desk Reference provides an overview of various state laws impacting employers, including those relating to discrimination and harassment, equal pay, wage and hour requirements, and leave and other benefits requirements. For a preview of the Desk Reference or for information on how to request a copy, visit the In Depth Analysis page of FordHarrison’s Knowledge Center.
New Jersey Bill Prohibits Employers from Requiring Release of Gender Claims in Exchange for Severance
A bill in the New Jersey State Senate would bar an employer from entering into an agreement for severance payments with an employee “which results in the employee releasing any claims, or barring any potential claims in the future, that the employee may have against the employer regarding gender discrimination or harassment.” The bill, S2535, also deems any provisions in a severance agreement requiring the release of gender claims “void and unenforceable.” If enacted, the bill will affect Garden State employers and employees significantly.