Cherry Hill Employment Lawyers

Thousands of industries and businesses occupy New Jersey, and employees from a wide range of demographics work in the state. The potential for complex employment issues may arise at any time from discrimination to sexual harassment to understanding how to take advantage of family leave programs when necessary. Employees may not realize what their rights are and may hesitate to know when a workplace incident or uncomfortable work environment warrants filing a complaint.

Discrimination Laws

The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD) protects individuals from discrimination at work. The law states that it is illegal to discriminate against employees regarding any characteristic they embody, including color, race, national origin, nationality, ancestry, creed, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, pregnancy, military status, AIDS or HIV status, and genetics. Additionally, employers cannot refuse to hire or dismiss, change a position or job title, devise policies that target protected groups, or alter the conditions of employment of a protected class. Recently, the Diane B. Allen Equal Pay Act ensures that employees of a protected class under the NJLAD receive the same rate of compensation as an employee of a non-protected class for substantially equal work.

Whistleblower Laws

Employees bear the right to act as whistleblowers if they believe their employer may be engaging in illegal, criminal, or fraudulent acts. The Conscientious Employee Protection Act (CEPA) protects workers who may be retaliated against by their employer for reporting alleged misdeeds. CEPA is considered the most ironclad whistleblower law nationwide. It protects whistleblowers from retaliation by their employer after the employee reports or threatens to report any type of legal violation, testifies against the company regarding the purported violations, or refuses to adhere to any policy or legal violation that their employer orders.

Sexual Harassment Laws

Sexual harassment on the job is nothing new, and if an employee becomes a victim, the individual does not have to accept or tolerate it. In New Jersey, workers may receive protection at their workplaces through both state and federal legislation. Sexual harassment falls under the umbrella of sex and gender discrimination. The New Jersey Sexual Harassment Policy covers both toxic work environments and quid pro quo sexual harassment. Any verbal or physical means of sexual harassment, including requesting sexual favors, making untoward advances, and other rude and discomfiting behavior in the workplace would be covered as well.

Family Leave Programs

While employees possess the right to take advantage of family leave programs in New Jersey, some employers may fail to honor workers’ rights and not permit them to do so or challenge them when they do try to take time off to take care of their loved ones. The New Jersey Family Leave Act (FLA) allows employees to take up to 12 weeks off to bond with their infants or go through the adoption or foster care process. The federally-based Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) overlaps the state laws and may fill in any gaps that are not covered.

A newly enacted law, the New Jersey Paid Sick Leave Act, enables employees to take time off if they become ill or a loved one is sick. Employers must honor the request or will be held accountable.

Cherry Hill Employment Lawyers at Sidney L. Gold & Associates, P.C. Advocate for Workers’ Rights

Facing discrimination or unfair treatment at your job may affect every aspect of your life. At Sidney L. Gold & Associates, P.C., our Cherry Hill employment lawyers prioritize keeping up to date on state and federal employment laws, so that we can devise a strategy that suits your needs. No employee should be undervalued or discriminated against by their employer, and we will ensure that any employer violating workplace rights will be held accountable. For a free consultation, call us at 215-569-1999 or contact us online today. We serve employees throughout South Jersey from our office in Pennsauken, New Jersey.