Today, October 29, the New Jersey Paid Sick Leave Act goes into effect.  Employers around the state have been working to update their sick leave or Paid Time Off policies to be fully compliant with this new workplace requirement.  The law, however, has left many questions unanswered.  » Read More

Pat Collins led his second briefing this morning on New Jersey’s Paid Sick Leave Act.

Pat spoke to a crowd of fifty HR Professionals and attorneys on the new paid sick leave law that goes into effect on October 29. He provided a complete overview of the law, along with an analysis of the steps employers must take to come into compliance. » Read More

For some time now, and particularly since issuing the report on its Select Task Force’s Study of Harassment in the Workplace (you can review the report here), the EEOC has become increasingly active in pursuing harassment litigation.  In addition, as we wrote about here, the EEOC reconvened its Task Force for a meeting entitled “Transforming #MeToo into Harassment-Free Workplaces.” Participants discussed the EEOC’s efforts in harassment prevention since the 2016 report was issued; and considered testimony from experts in the field who discussed issues including state legislative action in the area of sexual harassment prevention.  » Read More

The New Jersey Earned Sick and Safe Day Act, more commonly referred to as the New Jersey Paid Sick Leave Act, goes into effect on October 29, 2018, and applies to all New Jersey employers, regardless of size.  The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development has published a “Notice of Employee Rights” which is available here. » Read More

On May 2, 2018, Governor Murphy signed into law the New Jersey Earned Sick and Safe Day Act, more commonly referred to as the New Jersey Paid Sick Leave Act.  This new law goes into effect on October 29, 2018, and applies to all New Jersey employers, regardless of size.  » Read More

Taking action in the wake of the #MeToo movement, the New Jersey Assembly is expected to adopt a significant upgrade to its own harassment policies.  The Home News Tribune reported here, on the anticipated changes, which include mandatory training for legislators and staff, as well as a new procedure where complaints made under the policy may be made public under the Open Public Records Act.  » Read More

The EEOC recently reported here that it filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania against a company operating in Pennsylvania. The suit alleged that the company violated the federal Equal Pay Act of 1963 and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by paying female sales support staff less than males holding that same position, despite both male and female staff performing substantially equal work.  » Read More

Last year, we reported on a bill introduced by Senate Democrats that would have increased the benefits provided under New Jersey’s Paid Family Leave Insurance Law.  We also reported that then-Gov. Christie vetoed the bill, citing costs, increased taxes and the negative impact that the bill would have on business. » Read More

On Friday, August 10, 2018, Gov. Murphy signed into law a bill which permits the payment of unemployment insurance benefits to striking workers under certain conditions.  The bill amends New Jersey’s unemployment insurance law and provides that (1) if a labor dispute is caused by an employer’s failure or refusal to comply with an agreement, contract or collective bargaining agreement concerning hours, wages and other working conditions, and (2) if unemployment is caused by such a labor dispute through a strike or other concerted employee activity, the striking employee is entitled to unemployment benefits after a 30 day waiting period. » Read More

Earlier this year, we published a blog entry and a client alert about the New Jersey Earned Sick and Safe Days Act.  This new law, signed by Gov. Murphy on May 2, 2018, takes effect on October 29.  We have begun working with a number of our clients to assist them in reviewing their paid time off (“PTO”) policies to ensure compliance with the Sick Leave Act.  » Read More