03.28.2025“Unlawful DEI” Explained (Or Not) By New EEOC GuidanceOn January 20, 2025, the Trump Administration executed Executive Order 14173, entitled “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity.” The Order instructed the federal government to combat “illegal private-sector DEI [Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion] mandates, programs, and activities.” The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces federal anti-discrimination laws which make discrimination and harassment based on race, religion, national origin, age, disability, and sex unlawful, which are referred to as protected categories. In furtherance of the Executive Order, on March 19, 2024, the EEOC issued guidance to explain and identify unlawful DEI.
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.
10.22.2024Brigette Eagan to Present “Employee Handbook Do’s and Don’ts” Webinar for NJICLEGenova Burns Partner Brigette N. Eagan, Esq. to present “Employee Handbook Do’s and Don’ts” for the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education on October 30th. Join Ms. Eagan for a seminar helping employers learn how to draft an effective employee handbook, learn what the courts have said on pertinent issues and get practical tips on avoiding liability.
07.17.2024Brigette Eagan To Present On NJBIZ Artificial Intelligence Panel Genova Burns Partner Brigette N. Eagan, Esq. will be participating on a NJBIZ Artificial Intelligence panel which will take place virtually on July 23rd from 1 - 2:30 pm. This panel discussion promises to be an enlightening conversation on leveraging AI to drive business success. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights from industry leaders on how AI can transform your business.
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.
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.
08.14.2023After the Injury: NJ District Court Reiterates Indefinite Light Duty & Unpaid Leave is Not a Reasonable AccommodationOn July 12, 2023, in Wraith v. Wayfair, Inc., the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey granted summary judgment in favor of an employer, dismissing a former employee’s claim of disability discrimination and failure to accommodate in violation of the New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Act (WCA), the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD) and the New Jersey Paid Sick Leave Law (PSLL) following an on-the-job injury. The District Court found that the employer did not have a duty to accommodate an indefinite light duty or indefinite leave under the law where the only information provided was a physician note indicating the employee could not return to work.
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.
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.
04.21.2023NJ 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).
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