You searched News & Insights for: "Publications & Human Resources Counseling & Compliance"
12.18.2024UPDATE - New Jersey Employers Need To Start Preparing For The New Pay Transparency Law's June 1, 2025 Effective DateOn November 18, 2024, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed into law, Senate Bill 2310, making it the eleventh state to enact a pay transparency law. On June 1, 2025, when the new law goes into effect, certain New Jersey employers will be required to disclose their hourly wage or annual salary pay ranges and general benefit information for each job posting/advertisement. The new law will also require employers to make “reasonable efforts” to advise current employees of promotional opportunities within their organization.
10.18.2024Pay Transparency Law Takes Big Step Forward – here’s what that means for employersNew Jersey moved closer to becoming the 11th state to enact a pay transparency law on Sept. 26, when the General Assembly passed A4151/S2310, which would require certain New Jersey employers to disclose their hourly wage or annual salary pay ranges and general benefit information for each job posting/advertisement. The bill would also require employers to make “reasonable efforts” to advise current employees of promotional opportunities within their organization.
10.11.202410th Birthday Wishes to the Affordable Care Act’s Employer MandateThe Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“ACA”) was signed into law by President Obama on March 23, 2010. ACA affected health insurance coverage, costs and preventive care. It also established the Health Insurance Marketplace allowing individuals with certain income thresholds to obtain affordable health care regardless of employment status. The Biden Administration reported that 21.3 million people selected ACA Health Insurance Marketplace coverage in the 2024 open enrollment period.
10.08.2024Should I Stay Or Should I Go: The NLRB Weighs InOn October 7, 2024, NLRB General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo announced to her staff and the public that she intends to prosecute employers for “Stay-or-Pay” employment agreements, agreements that require a new employee to repay outlays for training if the employee leaves within a certain timeframe after being hired. The General Counsel reasons that such provisions are “presumptively unlawful” under Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act, which protects the rights to unionize or engage in protected concerted activity, because they force employees to remain in jobs they would otherwise leave, or deter an employee from union activity so as not to risk termination and the repayment obligation.
09.13.2024Retailers Face New Compliance Requirements: Violence Prevention and Panic Buttons Under New York LawOn September 5, 2024, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law the Retail Worker Safety Act (“Act” and “Legislation”), which in 6 months, will impose a series of new obligations on retail businesses operating in the State. Following California, which in July 2024 enacted legislation requiring retail employers to maintain a Workplace Violence Prevention Plan, New York’s new law is in response to the verbal harassments, threats of violence and physical violence to which retail workers are routinely exposed, according to the Act’s legislative history.
03.05.2024With Great Caution and Deference New Jersey Courts Leave Decisions Resulting From Internal Grievance Proceedings of Universities UndisturbedOn February 16, 2024, in a published decision in Chee Ng, PH.D., v. Fairleigh Dickinson University, the New Jersey Appellate Division granted summary judgment in favor of the University against a former tenured professor who disagreed with the findings of his termination hearing. The court left the University’s decision to terminate the professor undisturbed because it is well settled that Universities have the freedom to decide who to hire, promote, or retain. A University’s – whether public or private – grievance process is entitled to deference.
02.28.2024Twist & Shout: Supervisor’s Termination for Shouting Match With Subordinate Upheld Despite Alleged Whistleblowing ActivityOn February 16, 2024, the New Jersey Appellate Division in Ugarte v. Barnabas Health Med. Group, upheld the dismissal of a whistleblowing claim filed by a former supervisor. The Court affirmed the trial court’s decision dismissing the employee’s claim under the Conscientious Employee Protection Act (CEPA), finding that she was properly terminated for mistreating her subordinate. Ultimately, the supervisor could not establish a retaliation claim because there was no causal link between her termination and reporting HIPAA concerns.
02.05.2024Consistent Documentation Of Poor Performance Defeats Employee's Age Discrimination Claim On January 9, 2024, in Krassowski v. Bloomberg L.P., the New Jersey Appellate Division unanimously affirmed a trial court’s grant of summary judgment in favor of an employer that had well-documented proof of an employee’s continued failure to meet the expected level of performance for his role. The court found that the employee’s age discrimination suit faltered as he failed to demonstrate age played a role in his termination.
01.23.2024New Jersey Domestic Workers Gain Added Protections On January 12, 2024, Governor Phil Murphy signed the New Jersey Domestic Workers Bill of Rights Act (S-723/A-822), establishing a broad range of rights and employment protections for domestic workers. Domestic workers were previously excluded from the Law Against Discrimination and the New Jersey State Wage and Hour Law, leaving them without employee rights such as protections against harassment and discrimination, rest and meal breaks. The new law follows the precedent set by other states, including California, Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts. Similar bills are pending in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. The law will take effect in July 2024.
08.31.2023Risk of Cemex Bargaining Order Raises Stakes for Employers that Commit Serious Unfair Labor Practices During Union CampaignsExpressing palpable frustration with an employer that committed many unfair labor practice charges after a union filed an election petition, and acknowledging the lack of serious disincentives to engage in unlawful behavior opposing a union campaign, on August 25, 2023, the NLRB issued a new set of rules that will apply immediately to many employers and unions locked in a unionizing campaign. The major change is that the Board has determined that it has the power to impose a bargaining order on an employer that engages in serious unfair labor practice charges during an organizing campaign despite the union’s losing a Board-supervised election and without entertaining the remedy of a re-run election.
08.29.2023The ABC’S Of The EEOC’S Proposed Regulations On Pregnancy: Accommodations In The WorkplaceEffective July 27, 2023, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) requires employers with 15 or more employees, to accommodate pregnancy and pregnancy-related complications in the workplace. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which is the federal agency charged with enforcing the PWFA, recently issued proposed regulations clarifying employer obligations and employee rights under the PWFA. The PWFA requires employers to provide qualified employees and applicants with known limitations relating to pregnancy, childbirth or related mediation conditions with reasonable workplace accommodations, unless the accommodation causes an undue hardship. The key terms, underlined for clarity, are explained herein.
08.02.2023Cleaning House: New Jersey Enacts Building Service Worker Retention Law On July 24, 2023, Governor Phil Murphy signed into law Assembly Bill 4682/Senate Bill 2389 protecting non-managerial and non-professional service workers, who work at eligible locations, from sudden and unexpected loss of employment due to changes in ownership. New Jersey’s new law is the second of its kind in the United States.
06.20.2023Patience is a Virtue: NJ Appellate Division Affirms Settlement of Discipline Bars Recovery Under the NJLAD On May 1, 2023, in Onukogu v. New Jersey State Judiciary, the Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division affirmed the trial court’s grant of summary judgement in favor of the employer, affirming the dismissal of the employee’s allegations of discrimination and retaliation under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD). The case demonstrates how employers, when faced with employees with long-term disciplinary problems who they wish to retain, can link decisions not to discipline or terminate to a release of potential claims.
05.25.2023A Second Chance: NJ Employer Escapes Liability Where It Rectifies Discriminatory Conduct On May 17, 2023, in Schoenberg v. The Devereux Foundation, the New Jersey Appellate Division affirmed summary judgment for an employer, on a complaint filed by a former employee alleging gender and pregnancy discrimination in violation of the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD). The Court found that even where the employer had discriminated against the employee by revoking a job offer when it learned the employee was pregnant, the employer had rectified the situation and made the employee “whole” by reinstating the offer. The Court concluded that the employee unreasonably rejected the offer.
04.27.2023New York State Department of Labor Updates its Mandatory Sexual Harassment Policy RequirementsAs New York State employers are well aware, effective October 9, 2018, New York State Labor Law Section 201-g requires that employers adopt a sexual harassment policy and provide annual employee sexual harassment training. Employers may adopt the State’s Sexual Harassment Model Policy or establish their policy so long as it meets the State’s minimum standards for compliance, which can be found here . Alternatively, employers may utilize the State’s model sexual harassment training for annual compliance.
04.25.2023NJ District Court Awards Rule 11 Sanctions in Favor of Employer for Frivolous SuitOn March 31, 2023, the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, in the matter of Desire v. Dreamwear Inc., imposed Rule 11 sanctions in favor of an employer based on the filing of a frivolous Second Amended Complaint. This case serves as an important reminder that filing frivolous claims will not be tolerated by the court and when warranted, employers should move for sanctions.
04.21.2023NJ District Court Upholds Employee Termination After FMLA Leave On March 31, 2023, in LeBlanc v. Thomas Jefferson University, the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey granted an employer’s motion for summary judgment, dismissing a former’s employee’s allegations of discrimination and retaliation pursuant to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD).
04.13.2023No Signature, No Settlement: NJ Appellate Division Reiterates Settlements Reached at Mediation Absent a Signed Agreement Are Unenforceable On March 28, 2023, in a published decision in Gold Tree Spa, Inc, v. PD Nail Corp., the New Jersey Appellate Division extended the New Jersey Supreme Court’s seminal decision in Willingboro Mall, Ltd. v. 240/242 Franklin Ave., LLC and confirmed that settlements reached at mediation are unenforceable when the parties do not sign a term sheet before mediation comes to a close, irrespective of whether mediation is voluntary or court-ordered. Although the Gold Tree case involved a commercial dispute, the decision contains important lessons for employers and employment law practitioners.
04.10.2023NJ Appellate Division Rules No Age or Disability Bias in Termination of 60-Year-Old EmployeeOn March 29, 2023, the New Jersey Appellate Division affirmed an employer’s win after a former employee claimed he was fired on the basis of his age and disability. In Estate of Zoto v. Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless, Inc., the Appellate Division ruled that where an employee offers no evidence of age discrimination and fails to submit any documentation of a medical disability to his employer, there is no violation of the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD).
03.14.2023To Click or Not to Click: NJ Appellate Division Reaffirms Enforceability of Electronic Arbitration AgreementsOn March 7, 2023, in Dakota Powell vs. Prime Comms Retail LLC, the New Jersey Appellate Division ruled that a former employee must arbitrate her claims of race discrimination, rather than pursue them in court due to her electronic acknowledgement of a Mutual Agreement to Arbitrate upon hiring. The decision in Powell further confirms the growing acceptance of arbitration agreements by the New Jersey courts in New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD) cases.
02.24.2023NLRB Places NDAs and Non-Disparagement Agreements with Rank and File Employees in its Cross-HairsOn February 21, 2023, in McLaren Macomb, 372 NLRB No. 58, the NLRB made a broadside attack on precedent and confidentiality and non-disparagement provisions in severance agreements signed by rank and file employees. This far-reaching decision calls into question the enforceability of standard severance and employment agreement provisions entered into with statutory employees going forward.
01.23.2023Practical Considerations On The Speak Out ActThe Federal Speak Out Act Limits Confidentiality Over Resolved Claims Against Employers For Sexual Harassment And Assault. Here Are Some Practical Pointers For New Jersey Employers.
01.18.2023Combating Human Trafficking: New York Enacts Posting Requirements & Recognition Training for Hospitality & Transportation EmployeesOn July 20, 2022, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul signed eight pieces of legislation into law aimed to provide support and resources to victims of human trafficking. These laws impose new training requirements for employees in the hospitality and transportation industries, in addition to requiring crucial information be posted in the restrooms of human trafficking hotspots like airports, bus terminals and truck stops.
01.17.2023Beginning On April 10, 2023, New Jersey Employers Must Comply With Stricter Requirements On Mass-Layoffs And Business ClosuresIn 2020, New Jersey amended the Millville Dallas Airmotive Plant Job Loss Notification Act (referred to as the NJ WARN Act), which regulates employers implementing mass layoffs and business closures. Governor Phil Murphy placed those amendments on hold due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Three years after their enactment, on January 10, 2023, Governor Murphy passed legislation making those amendments effective on April 10, 2023. Those amendments change the landscape for those employers who are forced to close their doors or reduce their workforce.
12.22.2022Compliance Alert For New Jersey Employers: Updated Employment Posters issued by the DCRThe New Jersey Division on Civil Rights (DCR) recently adopted new and amended regulations concerning the "Display of Official Posters of the Division on Civil Rights” which require employers to display two updated posters in the workplace. The first poster informs employees of the prohibition under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD) against discrimination and harassment in the workplace based on a protected status. The second poster informs employees of their right to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job protected leave in a 24 month period to care for a family member or bond with a newly born or placed child under the New Jersey Family Leave Act (NJFLA). The NJFLA applies to employers of 30 or more employees.
11.03.2022Timing is Everything: NJ Appellate Division Compels Arbitration of Employee’s Sex Harassment ClaimsOn October 26, 2022, the New Jersey Appellate Division in Rourke v. Herr Foods, Inc. once again confirmed that the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA) preempts the 2019 amendment to the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD) invalidating employment agreements that require employees to waive rights pertaining to claims of harassment, discrimination and/or retaliation. Thus, the employee was required to proceed to arbitration on his sexual harassment, sexual assault and retaliation claims.
11.01.2022New York City Salary Transparency Law Effective November 1, 2022As of November 1, 2022, employers advertising a “job, promotion or transfer opportunity” in the 5 Boroughs of New York City must state the minimum and maximum salary for the position contained in the job posting or advertisement. This law applies to all jobs that will be or can be performed, at least in part, in New York City.
08.31.2022You Snooze You Lose: NJ Appellate Division Affirms Dismissal of Sleep Apnea Disability Bias Class Action On August 15, 2022, the New Jersey Appellate Division declined to reinstate a disability bias class action brought by a New Jersey Transit train operator who was required undergo a sleep apnea screening due to the results of his physical examination as required by NJ Transit’s policy stemming from safety concerns as a result of a 2016 train accident.
08.04.2022A Real “Who Dunnit?”: Dispute Over Unsigned Arbitration Agreement Means Judges Must Wear Detective’s CapOn July 18, 2022, the New Jersey Appellate Division provided a perfect reminder why all employers and HR professionals should diligently confirm that new hires complete all on-boarding paperwork. In Bhoj v. OTG Management, LLC, the Appellate Division reversed a trial court’s order compelling arbitration, finding that the terminated employee’s failure to sign or acknowledge receipt of an arbitration agreement presented a factual mystery that required a more in-depth investigation by the judge before she could enforce an unsigned arbitration agreement.
06.16.2022It’s Settled . . . Or Is It? NJ Appellate Division Rules The NJLAD Does Not Prohibit Non-Disparagement Clauses in Settlement Agreements On May 31, 2022, in Savage v. Township of Neptune, the New Jersey Appellate Division partially upheld, and partially overturned, a trial court’s enforcement of a private settlement agreement, holding that although the settlement agreement’s non-disparagement clause was enforceable and not violative of the statutory prohibition against enforcing non-disclosure provisions in harassment/discrimination/retaliation cases, the employee’s allegedly disparaging statements did not actually violate the non-disparagement clause as written.
05.31.2022Is There a Problem Officer?: NJ Appellate Division Affirms Dismissal of Retired Police Officer’s Disability LawsuitOn May 23, 2022, the New Jersey Appellate Division upheld a trial court’s dismissal of failure to promote, hostile work environment, and retaliation claims brought by a retired New Jersey State Police Trooper. In Stonnell v. State of New Jersey, the Appellate Division affirmed the trial court’s dismissal of the trooper’s New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD) claims, finding that he failed to set forth facts sufficient to establish that the New Jersey State Police violated the law with respect to his employment.
05.09.2022New York’s New Electronic Monitoring Law Effective May 7, 2022As we previously notified our readers, it’s a new dawn of electronic monitoring in New York. Effective May 7, 2022, employers engaging in electronic monitoring must provide detailed notice to their employees. Notice will be required if the employer wishes to digitally monitor or otherwise intercept phone conversations, text messages, e-mails and internet usage of employees.
04.28.2022Glass Houses: Hostile Work Environment Claim Dismissed Due to Employee’s Own Unprofessional ConductOn April 19, 2022, in Bouziotis v. Iron Bar, LLC, the New Jersey Appellate Division upheld a trial court’s dismissal of a former bartender’s hostile work environment and gender discrimination claims partly on the grounds that employee partook in the “pejorative language and boorish conduct pervading Iron Bar’s atmosphere,” just as much as anyone else, regardless of gender. Because the former employee could not show that the alleged misconduct occurred “but for [her] gender,” the Appellate Division upheld the trial court’s grant of summary judgment in favor of the employer.
04.25.2022Employer Documentation Saves the Day & Earns Dismissal of Age Bias LawsuitOn April 4, 2022, in the matter of Jane Rocks, et al. v. PNC Investments LLC, et al., a three-judge Appellate Panel affirmed the Superior Court’s grant of summary judgment in favor of PNC Investments LLC and dismissing the former employees’ claims of age discrimination, hostile work environment, and constructive discharge in violation of the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD). The Appellate Division found the employees were unable to demonstrate that they were held to higher standards due to their age.
03.08.2022NJ Appellate Division Upholds Requests, Not Commands, By Employers to Maintain Confidentiality in Employment InvestigationsOn February 28, 2022, the New Jersey Appellate Division ruled that a request for confidentiality by an investigator in connection with a discrimination or harassment investigation is valid and does not violate an employee’s right of free speech or the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD). In Usachenok v. State of New Jersey Department of the Treasury, et al., the Appellate Division denied an attempt made by a former employee to invalidate a regulation by the State's Civil Service Commission requesting confidentiality in connection with a harassment investigation.
02.25.2022To Be Blunt: The NJLAD Does Not Bar Arbitration of Medical Marijuana User’s Employment ClaimsOn February 15, 2022, the New Jersey Appellate Division upheld a trial court Order compelling arbitration of discrimination and wrongful termination claims brought by a former employee who was terminated for testing positive for marijuana. In a matter of first impression, the Appellate Division in Antonucci v. Curvature Newco, Inc. held that federal law governing arbitration preempts a 2019 amendment to the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD) invalidating employment agreements that require employees to waive certain rights, with respect to discrimination, retaliation, and/or harassment claims.
01.25.2022New York City Passes Law Requiring Salary Ranges in Job PostingsA makeover is on the horizon for job postings in New York City. On December 15, 2021, the New York City Council passed new legislation relating to wage transparency on job postings. On January 15, 2022, New York City Mayor Eric Adams returned this bill without a veto, effectively passing it into law. The goal of the legislation was to reduce pay disparities affecting historically disadvantaged applicants, which follows a national trend.
01.18.2022Whose Burden is it Anyway? NJ Appellate Division Holds Employee Fails to Meet the Burden of Persuasion of Showing Discriminatory Intent Despite surviving summary judgment, securing a favorable verdict at the second trial, and being awarded counsel fees, Plaintiff’s gender discrimination case was abruptly dismissed by the Appellate Division. On January 3, 2022, the three-judge panel held that an employee in a discrimination case bears the burden of persuasion at all stages. This employee’s argument fell short of that burden, and her case was, therefore, dismissed.
11.19.2021New York’s New Electronic Monitoring Law Mandates New Disclosure Requirements for Employers It’s a new dawn of electronic monitoring in New York, as employers will soon be required to disclose the extent of their electronic monitoring of employees in the workplace. On November 8, 2021, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed a new law amending New York State’s Civil Rights Law requiring all private employers that conduct business in the State of New York, regardless of size, to provide notice to employees of electronic monitoring of telephone, email, and internet access and usage.
11.17.2021Governor Hochul Expands The New York Paid Family Leave Act To Cover Siblings With A Serious Health ConditionThis is the first blog in a series covering New York’s Recent Expansions Of Its Employment Laws.
Governor Hochul recently expanded New York’s Paid Family Leave Act by amending the definition of family to include siblings. Siblings under the amendment covers both biological and adopted siblings, half siblings, and step-siblings. This amendment will allow employees time off to care for siblings with a serious health condition. Employers have time to comply, as this amendment does not become effective until January 1, 2023.
11.03.2021Employers Beware: New York State Expands Whistleblower Protections Increasing Employer LiabilityOn October 28, 2021, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation amending the New York Labor Law (“Labor Law”) to substantially enhance the whistleblower protections afforded to private-sector workers who report alleged wrongdoing by their employers significantly increasing potential liability for New York employers. The legislation becomes effective 90 days after its signing, was amended to include a two-year statute of limitations, and significantly broadens the scope of covered individuals and protected activities.
10.12.2021Employees 70 & Older Gain New Life With Expanded Protections Against Age Discrimination in the WorkplaceOn October 5, 2021, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation expanding the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD) providing increased protections against age discrimination for workers 70 years of age and older. The new legislation closes loopholes by repealing provisions permitting age discrimination in hiring, promoting, and retirement practices, while increasing available remedies to those facing age discrimination in employment.
09.21.2021NY HERO Act COVID-19 Designation Activates Employer Prevention PlansOn September 6, 2021, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the New York State Commissioner of Health has designated COVID-19 a highly contagious communicable disease that presents a serious risk of harm to the public health under the New York Health and Essential Rights Act (HERO Act), thus requiring all employers to implement workplace safety plans to prevent workplace airborne infectious disease outbreaks.
09.08.2021Stepping In Where Unions Have Failed, NYC Council Imposes Just Cause Standard On Non-Union EmployersAs our readers may be aware, in March 2021, New York City passed an ordinance requiring fast food employers to have just cause to discharge their employees, where discharge includes termination, constructive discharge, indefinite suspension, and reduction in hours by more than 15%. The ordinance has been effective as of July 5, 2021, and enforcement of these mandates began September 3, 2021.
08.25.2021Everyone’s Out of Bounds! NJ District Court Finds Employer’s Discretion in Managing Suspected FMLA Abuse is Limited by the Employer’s Lack of Proper Documentation On August 6, 2021, the New Jersey District Court in Calio v. Camden County Board of Chosen Freeholders, denied motions by both an employer and an employee to resolve a dispute over abuse of leave under the Federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and New Jersey Family Leave Act (NJFLA) rights. The District Court ruled that it could not dispose of the case in its early stages and could not find that the employer properly disciplined the employee for excessive absences, due in part, to the employer’s lack of proper documentation.
07.06.2021NJ Supreme Court Issues A Grim Prognosis For Employers Facing Hostile Work Environment ClaimsAfter losing in both the trial and appellate courts, Armando Rios, Jr., an ex-Pharmaceutical Executive, managed to sway the minds of the Justices on the State’s highest court to revive his hostile work environment claim. Rios claimed his direct supervisor twice referred to Hispanics by a racial epithet thereby creating a hostile work environment. The lower courts held that two incidents are not severe or pervasive enough to constitute a hostile work environment and dismissed his case. A unanimous New Jersey Supreme Court, however, disagreed and reversed the lower court decisions.
06.24.2021NJ District Court Gives Employers Hope in the Fight Against FMLA MisuseOn May 28, 2021, the U.S. District for New Jersey in VanHook v. Cooper Health Systems, granted Cooper’s summary judgment against its employee’s discrimination and retaliation claims under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The District Court agreed with the employer that the record confirms the employee’s abusive and dishonest actions and granted the employer’s motion of summary judgment.
06.22.2021NJ Supreme Court Strikes Adverse Employment Action Requirement in Failure to Accommodate ClaimsOn June 8, 2021, the New Jersey Supreme Court in Richter v. Oakland Board of Education affirmed the Appellate Division’s ruling that an employee asserting a failure to accommodate claim does not have to separately establish that she suffered an adverse employment action in addition to demonstrating her employer’s inaction in failing to reasonably accommodate her disability.
05.26.2021Sign on the Dotted Line: Enforceability of Arbitration Agreements Against Predecessor Company On April 30, 2021, in Hampton v. ADT, LLC, et al., the New Jersey Appellate Division vacated a September 2020 trial court order dismissing a former employee’s lawsuit and compelling him to arbitrate his Conscientious Employee Protection Act (CEPA) claims against his former employer’s predecessor. In so doing, the Appellate Division held that the trial court must first determine whether the subject Arbitration Agreement was binding on the former Vice President, and if so, whether his former employer was, in fact, the assignee of the agreement.
05.24.2021NJ Appellate Narrows the Road in Auto Dealership’s Sexual Harassment CaseOn May 18, 2021, in McBride v. Atlantic Chrysler Jeep, the New Jersey Appellate Division revived a Sales Consultant’s hostile work environment case against a car dealership after the Law Division previously dismissed it in the dealership’s favor. The employee claimed that she was terminated for rejecting her supervisor’s sexual advances and alleged the dealership was vicariously liable for the supervisor’s conduct. The trial court granted the dealership’s motion for summary judgment. On appeal, the Appellate Division overturned the trial court’s decision and sent the case back to the Law Division to proceed to trial.
05.20.2021The Devil is in the Details: NJ District Court Demands Details of Sexual Harassment to Defeat Motion to DismissOn April 12, 2021, the New Jersey District Court for the District of New Jersey in Spence v. New Jersey, et al., granted in part and denied in part a motion to dismiss an employee’s sexual harassment and retaliation claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII) and the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD). The employee claimed she was sexually harassed by her co-worker and that her supervisors took retaliatory action against her for reporting the alleged sexual harassment. The District Court found that the employee failed to sufficiently plead her sexual harassment claim for lack of pervasive harassment, and in part failed to sufficiently plead her retaliation claim for lack of temporal proximity.
04.12.2021Doubling Down on the FAA: NJ District Court Strikes Down the NJLAD’s Prohibition Against ArbitrationEarlier this year, in a matter of first impression, the Monmouth County Law Division in Janco v. Bay Ridge Automotive Management Corp. held that the amendment to the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD) which prohibits a waiver of any right or remedy available under the NJLAD was superseded by the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA). In its decision on March 25, 2021 in New Jersey Civil Justice Institute v. Grewal, the United States District Court followed suit and enjoined the State AG from enforcing Section 12.7 of the NJLAD that would invalidate arbitration agreements between employers and employees. This decision represents a significant victory for employers on the enforceability of arbitration agreements in harassment, discrimination and retaliation cases in New Jersey.
03.19.2021Let’s Go to the Video Tape: NJ Appellate Division Rules Video Dooms Nurse’s Age Discrimination Case On March 3, 2021, the New Jersey Appellate Division upheld the dismissal of a 49-year old Nurse’s age discrimination case against St. Peter’s University Hospital. The Nurse, who was fired after using force to restrain a hospital patient, claimed the incident with the patient was merely a pretext for age discrimination, even though the surveillance video demonstrated otherwise.
11.24.2020Requiring the COVID-19 Vaccination at Work: Issues for NJ Employers to Consider When Developing a COVID-19 Vaccination ProgramWe have seen recent articles speculating on whether employers can require their employees to take an FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment or continued employment. Here, without giving any legal advice, for private (non-governmental) New Jersey employers, odds are that this type of employment rule will be permissible, with certain limitations, discussed herein.
09.29.2020All Bark, Even Bigger Bite: New Jersey's New Worker Misclassification ProtectionsOn January 20, 2020, Governor Murphy signed into law a series of legislative packages aimed at combating worker misclassification and exploitation. These bills will bolster an already-aggressive state department of labor that has the independent contractor model squarely in its sights.
08.19.2020Crossing State Lines: Road Tripping with Amazon and Interstate CommerceOn July 28, 2020, Chief District Judge Freda L. Wolfson from the District of New Jersey denied Amazon’s Motion to Dismiss and Compel Arbitration in Harper v. Amazon. The parties were ordered to engage in discovery to determine whether plaintiff was engaged in interstate commerce to be exempt from arbitration under the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA).
08.18.2020Don’t Fear The Click-Box: NJ Supreme Court Upholds Electronic Employee Arbitration AgreementsOn August 18, 2020, in a landmark decision for employers, the New Jersey Supreme Court released its long-awaited opinion in Skuse v. Pfizer (A-86-18) (082509), holding that an employee must arbitrate her employment discrimination claims agreed to in an electronic employee arbitration agreement. The decision reverses the Appellate Division’s January 2019 decision, which had imposed heightened requirements on employers obtaining employees’ assent to arbitration agreements.
07.13.2020To Screen or Not to Screen? Amazon Must Face NJ Wage Class Action for Workers’ Post-Shift Screening On June 29, 2020, the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey ruled that Amazon must face a proposed class action alleging violations of New Jersey Wage and Hour Law (NJWHL), which seeks compensation for time spent undergoing mandatory post-shift security screenings and for time spent during meal breaks.
07.07.2020Will You Be Immune to COVID-19 Lawsuits?As businesses and institutions of higher education begin returning to in-person work or instruction, entities continue to grapple with reopening and the probability of infection despite following all current health guidelines. The evolving guidance from health officials, the federal, state and local governments means that businesses and institutions will be constantly monitoring and updating procedure and protocols in response to the public health emergency.
06.15.2020Supreme Court Finds Federal Law Bars LGBT Employment DiscriminationThe U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) held today that the ban on sex discrimination in the federal employment law, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, covers employment discrimination based on sexual orientation or transgender identity.
05.07.2020Hail Mary (Jane): New York City Weeds Out Pre-Employment Marijuana Testing on May 10New York City’s ban on pre-employment drug testing for marijuana goes into effect this weekend, on May 10, 2020. The law makes it an “unlawful discriminatory practice” to require a prospective employee to submit to testing for the presence of marijuana or tetrahydrocannabinols (“THC”), the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, as a condition of employment.
04.22.2020New Jersey Gives Employers Struggling with the COVID-19 Pandemic a Temporary Break: Delay and Changes to the Amended New Jersey WARN Act In response to growing concerns of employers due to the COVID-19 pandemic, on April 14, 2020, Governor Phil Murphy signed into law new legislation which provides two significant changes to the Millville Dallas Airmotive Plant Job Loss Notification Act (NJ WARN). Pursuant to the January 21st changes, initially scheduled to become effective on July 19, 2020, employers will be required to provide longer notice periods and mandatory severance pay in connection with a large layoff or facility closure.
04.03.2020In the Wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic, New Jersey Expands Employee Leave Entitlements On March 25, 2020, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed S2304, amending the New Jersey Earned Sick Leave Law, the New Jersey Family Leave Act (“FLA”), and the New Jersey Temporary Disability Benefits Law (“TDL”). The amendments expand an employee’s ability to take leave and collect temporary disability benefits during epidemic-related emergencies.
03.27.2020 New Jersey Division on Civil Rights (DCR) Releases COVID-19 FAQ'sOn March 19, 2020, the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights (DCR) released a Guidance addressing frequently asked questions regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Specifically, the DCR addresses protections and obligations under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD).
03.12.2020Key Employer Take-Aways from Long-Awaited Guidance on New Jersey's Equal Pay ActOn March 2, 2020, the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights (DCR) issued Guidance on the Diane B. Allen Equal Pay Act (Equal Pay Act) – the New Jersey law requiring employers to offer equal pay to employees performing substantially similar work.
03.06.2020Coronavirus (Covid-19) - Practical and Fast Facts for Employer Planning As employers work on strategic plans for handling employment-related issues involving Covid-19, such as possible facility closings, tele-commuting, and employee leave/compensations issues, employers should keep in mind these fast facts.
01.21.2020Uncertain Fate of Affordable Care Act and 2017 Rules Creating New Exemptions to ACA’s Contraception Coverage Requirements; New Jersey’s ResponseOn December 18, 2019 the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, in a 2-1 decision which the court revised on January 9, declared the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA’s) individual health insurance mandate unconstitutional as a result of Congress’ elimination of the mandate’s financial penalty in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“TCJA”), but declined to invalidate ACA in its entirety and sent the case back to the district court to decide the issue.
01.15.2020New Jersey Employers – The NLRB Loosens Restrictions On Confidentiality Instructions For InvestigationsOn December 16, 2019, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued a decision in Apogee Retail LLC d/b/a Unique Thrift Store and Kathy Johnson, upholding an employer’s confidentiality instructions to employees involved in open workplace investigations and any investigations pending or initiated after December 16, 2019. When implementing this decision to its active investigations, New Jersey employers must be mindful of pro-employee laws which not only allow, but encourage employee discussion.
01.02.2020Know When to Fold 'Em: Appellate Division Upholds Bally’s Termination of Employee Despite Whistleblowing Activity On December 3, 2019, the New Jersey Appellate Division upheld the dismissal of a whistleblowing claim filed by an ex-casino employee and affirmed the trial court’s decision dismissing the employee’s claims under the Conscientious Employee Protection Act (CEPA) finding that he was properly terminated for mistreating his coworkers. Thus, he could not establish a claim for retaliation, as there was no link between his termination and his reporting of an alleged casino scam.
12.30.2019New Jersey Salary History Ban Takes Effect January 1A reminder to New Jersey employers that the new law prohibiting employers from screening job applicants based on their pay history takes effect on January 1, 2020.
12.11.2019“What Goes Around, Comes Around” – A Potential Defense to Hostile Work Environment Claims Under the NJ LADOn November 7, 2019, the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey in Paige v. Atrion Communication Resources, Inc., et al., considered a hostile work environment/sexual harassment claim under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD) by a receptionist who alleged she was constructively discharged as a result of her supervisor’s conduct.
This website uses cookies for site operation, security and analytics purposes, as described in our Privacy Notice and Cookie Notice. By clicking Ok, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.
OK
