Blog

September 4, 2018

Most people incorrectly assume that a Workers’ Compensation claim will shield an employee from any backlash from their company, but in many cases it is legally acceptable for an employer to terminate an employee while they are out of work and under the care of a company doctor. Getting Fired While on Workers’ Compensation Leave in New Jersey When you’ve been fired or laid off from work while receiving Workers’ Compensation temporary disability benefits, it’s important to understand the explicit reason you are being let go. In New Jersey, it is illegal for an…

August 7, 2018

It’s crucial for every employee to understand the contract and terms of their employment. Some individuals are considered full-time employees of a business, and others may be working as independent contractors.  Most employees in the State of New Jersey are considered “at-will employees. The exact definition of these terms also defines the rights you have as an employee of the company, so it’s important to understand the terms before accepting a job opportunity. What are At-Will Employees in New Jersey? In general, the state of New Jersey assumes that you are employed at-will unless otherwise…

January 19, 2017

Hourly workers in New Jersey are protected by both NJ employment laws and federal employment laws. One of the main legal protections for workers is that they are supposed to be paid for their labor. This means that working off the clock is usually illegal. If you perform work for your employer, you must be paid for that work. Moreover, you must be paid a fair wage for the work you perform. Some examples of off-the-clock work performed by employees in New Jersey and elsewhere are prep work before a shift starts, work done cleaning up or finishing tasks…

June 8, 2015

As the fight for higher minimum wage rages across the country, many are saying that the “fight for $15 may lead to a hike in Workers’ Compensation costs for businesses. Companies with a large concentration of hourly employees would face increased costs from providers due to the increased insurance premiums related to such a dramatic rise in hourly wages. Workers’ Comp policy premiums are directly tied to the amount of payroll that a business pays. Why should you care? If you are an employee who goes to work to do an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay…

October 23, 2014

UltraViolet, a national women’s advocacy organization, is going to great lengths to make sure its message is heard in New Jersey – before Election Day. The group launched a new campaign in New Jersey, as well as Minneapolis and Boston, to make sure voters are aware of how their elected officials have been voting in Congress on the topic of women’s equality. Issues such as equal pay, women’s health, and paid family leave are being targeted in the ad campaign. The group paid for an ad campaign that includes billboards at the Newark Liberty Airport and…

August 1, 2014

About six years ago, the United States Social Security Administration began an aggressive plan to replace its antiquated computer systems. The office was being overwhelmed with disability claims and sought relief through upgrading its systems. Despite sinking $300 million into the project, the Social Security Administration can’t get it to work, and the agency isn’t sure if or when it will ever be up and running. While the project is stuck in testing, thousands of people filing for disability claims face delays during every step of the process. These delays were supposed to be remedied by the new computer…

July 24, 2014

Few things in recent history have been as polarizing as the U.S. Supreme Court decision in the case of Burwell vs. Hobby Lobby Stores Inc. The decision has been both heralded and condemned, as the nation’s top court was forced to draw a line between women’s rights and the religious rights of a business. While the five male justices who voted in favor of Hobby Lobby have assured the public that the decision is a very narrow one, there’s legitimate reason to believe that this could be an extremely slippery slope, especially for lesbians, gays, bisexuals…

July 23, 2014

The “ban the box” bill, recently modified and approved by the NJ State Legislature, is now awaiting approval by NJ Gov. Chris Christie. If he signs it, New Jersey employers will be prohibited from inquiring about a job applicant’s criminal background until after a first interview – unless the applicant brings it up. However, if you’ve been convicted of serious crimes such as arson, homicide or kidnapping, you will not be covered by this legislation. Further, if you are applying for a job in law enforcement, corrections, homeland security, emergency management or the judiciary, companies will be permitted to…

July 3, 2014

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has filed suit against the United Health Programs of America (and its parent company, Cost Containment Group) for violating its employees’ religious and civil rights. The company allegedly forced its workers to pray to thank God for their jobs, and then required they all say “I love you” to managers and co-workers. Anyone who protested was fired, according to the complaint filed by the EEOC. This unusual policy was known as the Onionhead doctrine, and was created by the aunt of the company’s owner. According to the EEOC’s complaint, many…

June 26, 2014

With the amount of time Americans spend at work on a weekly basis, there’s no surprise when office relationships spring up. According a 2013 CareerBuilder.com survey, 39 percent of workers admitted to having an office fling at least once. It would certainly be nice if every office romance ended in a great, fulfilling and long-lasting relationship. However, for myriad reasons, that’s unlikely. In fact, the opposite usually occurs, leaving people hurt and disgruntled. Further, when romance sparks up at the office, there are some legal risks for both employees and employers. We have offices by appointment…