Blog

October 14, 2014

While it’s nothing compared to being a victim of domestic violence, caring for a family member who has been abused is extremely trying, as well. The NJ SAFE Act, a new law that affords domestic violence victims a brief time off work to take care of themselves, has provisions that extend to caregivers, too. According to the NJ SAFE Act, employers in New Jersey must provide employees (who are victims of domestic violence) with 20 days of unpaid leave during the 12-month period following a documented offense. While the employee needs to provide notice to the…

September 17, 2014

Football season is in full swing, which means fans will spend Sundays packed into hometown stadiums, screaming in support of their favorite players and teams. Anywhere there are crowds, there’s a risk of injury, and football stadiums are certainly no exception. There’s no limit to the kinds of injuries that can be sustained in a stadium, but the following are some of the most common instances: Slippery floors and surfaces: Drinks are spilled and puddles are formed. When you’re walking in a crowd, it can be almost impossible to spot a slick surface in time to avoid…

August 8, 2014

In the dog days of summer, many hours will be spent with friends and family around your backyard pool. While much of pool safety may seem obvious – supervise children, enforce a no running rule, be proficient in CPR – children can be in danger even after they leave the pool. In fact, children can drown hours after they have finished swimming. Secondary drowning, or dry drowning, happens when a swimmer inhales water, whether in a near-drowning incident or in a less scary situation, like when jumping into the pool or exiting a water slide. The swimmer may appear…

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 11, 2014

There are currently 23 states that require ignition interlock devices installed in vehicles of first time convicted drunk drivers. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), in conjunction with state Assemblywoman Linda Stender, is hoping to make New Jersey the 24th state to do so. Stender introduced Bill 1368, requiring the use of ignition interlocks for at least three months following an individual’s first DUI conviction, for blood alcohol contents ranging from .08 to .14. Currently, the state requires the devices to be installed for repeat and first time offenders when the BAC is at .15 or higher, or…

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…

June 20, 2014

Preventing a crash with a truck is the responsibility of both truck drivers and operators of other vehicles. Most of us get a little nervous when we are driving next to a truck going 65 miles per hour on the highway, and rightly so. Being on the wrong side of a truck crash could mean severe personal injuries, extreme damage to property and a potential untimely death. It’s all about defensive driving. Many vehicle operators get stubborn with their driving habits and fail to adjust to the limited maneuverability, performance capabilities and braking of a truck.