On February 27, 2014, a bill (S1595) was introduced that appears to establish an increase in the minimum wage for tipped New Jersey employees—first to 40 percent of the standard minimum wage, and then after one year, to 69...more
On February 27, 2014, a bill (S1440) was introduced in the Senate that would prohibit employers from basing employment decisions on an applicant’s unemployed status. The bill would supplement an existing law that prohibits...more
“The Opportunity to Complete Act” (last mentioned in the February 2013 issue of the New Jersey eAuthority) was reintroduced to the state Senate on February 28, 2014. The bill still prohibits the use of criminal background...more
On February 25, 2014, a bill was introduced and referred to the Senate Commerce Committee that would allow employees to suspend payment of interest on their mortgages if they were affected by a violation of the Millville...more
On February 27, 2014, the chair of the state Senate Labor Committee proposed a bill that would withhold payments by the state to vendors that are delinquent in their unemployment insurance contributions....more
In our February 2014 issue of the New Jersey eAuthority, we reported that the Newark City Council had approved a sick leave ordinance that would provide the majority of private employees working in Newark with mandatory paid...more
On January 28, 2014, the Newark City Council approved a sick leave ordinance that would require most private employers in Newark to provide their workers with paid time off. If the mayor of Newark signs this ordinance, Newark...more
In the November 2013 and January 2014 issues of the New Jersey eAuthority, we reported on the Senate and Assembly’s passage of a bill (S2995) expanding employment protections for pregnant women. On January 21, 2014, Governor...more
In the November 2013 issue of the New Jersey eAuthority, we reported on a bill (S2996) seeking to expand eligibility for state leave and disability benefits for employees who have been laid off or furloughed due to a declared...more
In the January 2014 issue of the New Jersey eAuthority, we reported that the Senate had introduced a bill (S3087) that would permit employee leasing companies to have their unemployment insurance taxes determined on the basis...more
On January 22, 2014, Governor Chris Christie signed into law a bill (S2741) that modifies short-time unemployment benefits as they relate to employees in shared work programs. “Shared work programs” refer to programs...more
Effective January 1, 2014, the maximum weekly benefit for individuals eligible to collect unemployment insurance increased from $624 to $636; the maximum weekly benefit for state plan temporary disability and family leave...more
In State v. Saavedra, 2013 WL 6763248 (App. Div. Dec. 24, 2013), a public sector employee learned that he could be indicted for criminal theft for taking his employer’s highly confidential, original documents...more
In January 2014, both the Senate and Assembly introduced bills (S354 and A101) that would require all New Jersey employers to use the federal “E-Verify” system to check the employment eligibility of each new hire, within 90...more
On January 6, 2014, the Senate introduced a bill (S153) that would provide incentives to small private sector employers that increase their workforce by hiring unemployed workers. Under the legislation, employers with 100 or...more
The New Jersey Department of Labor just updated its mandatory Unemployment Compensation and Temporary Disability Benefits Poster (PR-1), which New Jersey employers should post immediately. ...more
On January 9, 2014, the Senate reintroduced a bill (S218), which would amend the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination to make it a civil rights violation for an employee to be fired or otherwise discriminated against because...more
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) just released its fiscal year (FY) 2013 enforcement and litigation statistical report. Presented annually, the report is always a treasure trove of information for...more
In the November 2013 issue of the New Jersey eAuthority, we reported on the Senate’s passage of a bill (S2995) expanding employment protections for pregnant women by...more
The New Jersey Department of Labor (NJDOL) just updated two of its mandatory workplace posters, which New Jersey employers should post immediately. The Wage and Hour Law Abstract has been updated to reflect the new minimum...more
As we reported in the December 10, 2013 issue of the New Jersey eAuthority, the New Jersey Department of Labor (NJDOL) recently made available the gender equity notice. Effective January 6, 2014, the gender equity notice must...more
In the November 2013 issue of the New Jersey eAuthority, we reported on Jersey City’s adoption of an ordinance taking effect on January 24, 2014, which mandates that all businesses operating in Jersey City provide sick leave...more
On December 5, 2013, the Senate introduced a bill (S3064) seeking to extend legal protections and remedies to unpaid interns by amending three state statutes: the Law Against Discrimination, the Conscientious Employee...more
Under current law, discrimination on the basis of familial status is prohibited under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD) only in housing. On November 18, 2013, the Assembly introduced a bill (A4465) amending...more
On December 16, 2013, the Senate introduced another bill (S3115), the “Healthy Workplace Act,” seeking to prevent workplace bullying, abuse, and harassment. The bill would prohibit any conduct in the workplace that a...more