Paramus Employment Lawyers

Both federal and New Jersey state laws protect employees, granting them rights to fair wages, safe working conditions, freedom from discrimination, and protection against wrongful termination. Employment law more generally provides guidelines for everything from the hiring process to workplace behavior to termination.

Federally, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act prohibit discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, and other protected classes. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 does the same for discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) of 1967 for discrimination against workers over 40; and the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 against expecting mothers.

Many federal regulations, including Title VII, apply to companies with more than 15 employees. The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD) addresses employment discrimination based on civil union status, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, military service, atypical hereditary cellular or blood traits, and other factors.

Workplace discrimination can take many different forms, some implied and some overt. If you believe your employer or boss has discriminated unjustly against you by overlooking you for a promotion, publicly shaming you, or engaging in some other unfair action, document all your experiences. Keep a journal of the event, location, and date of each incident you experience, and make sure to store this record away from your work’s database.  

Then, you can file your complaint with the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights (DCR), the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)—or both if you believe your employer violated both state and federal law. Generally speaking, you have 180 days to file your Paramus employment discrimination complaint.

Alternatively, you can bring a civil lawsuit against your employer to claim compensation for the discrimination. However, you will likely need to receive authorization from the DCR or EEOC to proceed.

If your employer fires you for an unlawful reason, such as retaliation, they have engaged in wrongful termination. Getting fired for an unfair reason not only affects your financial situation, but it also can affect your mental health, emotional well-being, and family relationships.

New Jersey is an “at-will” employment state, meaning employers can fire employees for any legal reason. If you file a successful complaint or civil lawsuit, you could stand to collect compensation for lost wages, emotional distress, and other damages.

Federal and state wage laws require employers to pay fair wages, including minimum wage and overtime for hours worked beyond 40 per week. Unfortunately, some of our clients here at Carcich O’Shea have had employers who unfairly garnish wages in the guise of uniform costs or other unrelated fees.

If you have experienced wage theft, if your employer has refused to pay you overtime, or if they violated any other wage laws, you may have a valid legal claim against your workplace.

Employees who report illegal workplace activity or unsafe practices are known as whistleblowers—they play a crucial role in ensuring that employers and companies abide by applicable legal standards. The New Jersey Conscientious Employee Protection Act (CEPA) and federal whistleblower laws protect them, but that has not stopped some workplaces from engaging in retaliation through demotions, pay cuts, or even termination.

If you have reported a violation and faced retaliation from your employer, such as demotion, termination, or harassment, the law protects you. Seek legal recourse by contacting a seasoned employment lawyer in your area and filing a complaint.

If you are facing sexual harassment in New Jersey, it is essential to understand your rights and take steps to protect yourself. Start by documenting incidents as thoroughly as possible, noting dates, times, locations, people involved, and any witnesses. Report the harassment to your employer, following the company’s procedures, which may involve notifying a supervisor or human resources department.

In New Jersey, employees are protected by both federal and state laws, including the NJLAD, which prohibits workplace sexual harassment. If your employer fails to address the issue or if retaliation occurs, consider consulting an attorney experienced in employment law to explore further options.

Sifting through all the relevant employment statutes takes an experienced and steady legal hand—not only could your situation touch one of any number of separate statutes, but you also need to determine, based on what you experienced, how much to claim when you file a complaint or lawsuit.

In addition, your company will likely hire a powerful lawyer to argue their case and avoid liability for any discrimination. In the worst-case scenario, they might find a way to turn the situation back onto you.

This is why you need a competent Paramus employment attorney on your side to protect your rights, advocate for your interests, gather all relevant evidence, appeal to the appropriate laws, and build your strongest possible case. With a good lawyer backing you, you can find legal peace of mind to focus on your work, unencumbered by the stress and anxiety that comes with a lawsuit.