Federal and state employment laws in New Jersey require equal pay for workers in highly similar jobs in various circumstances. The federal Equal Pay Act (EPA) specifically addresses equal pay in terms of sex discrimination. New Jersey’s Diane B. Allen Equal Pay Act (NJEPA), on the other hand, takes on…
Articles Posted in Discrimination
How the Burden of Proof Can Shift in New Jersey Employment Discrimination Claims
Proving that an employer in New Jersey has engaged in unlawful employment discrimination is often difficult. The facts of a case might not include overt policies or statements that show an employer’s discriminatory intent. The U.S. Supreme Court identified a framework to use in cases where a plaintiff does not…
EEOC Settles Disability Discrimination Lawsuit with New Jersey Hospital
Disability discrimination violates New Jersey employment laws at the state and federal levels. Employers may not take adverse actions against employees or job seekers because of an actual or perceived disability. Employers who violate these rights may be liable for damages. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is the federal…
EEOC Adds Guidance on When COVID-19 May Be a Disability Under the ADA for New Jersey Employees
Federal and state employment laws in New Jersey protect workers from discrimination on the basis of disability. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) construes the term “disability” very broadly to include an array of physical and mental conditions. We are still learning about the long-term effects of COVID-19 on some…
EEOC Issues Guidance on Employment Discrimination Based on Caregiver Responsibilities in New Jersey and Nationwide
Workers have long had to juggle their obligations at work and caregiving responsibilities at home. This includes not only parents, but also people caring for elderly relatives, family members with disabilities, and others. The COVID-19 pandemic has made this issue much more pressing. Some jurisdictions have enacted laws that expressly…
What Does New Jersey Law Say About Discrimination Against Unemployed Job Applicants?
New Jersey employment laws provide safeguards against policies and practices that may create unfair roadblocks in job searches. The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD), for example, prohibits employers from discriminating in hiring and other areas of employment on the basis of race, sex, religion, sexual orientation, disability, age, and…
Causes of Action for Criminal History Discrimination in New Jersey
Criminal history can be one of the biggest stumbling blocks in the search for a job. Steady employment is a critically important factor in returning to normal life after a criminal conviction. Many employers, however, do not want to hire anyone with a criminal record, even if the specific details…
Congress Takes a Step Towards Catching up with New Jersey on Hairstyle Discrimination
Numerous states around the country have taken action to protect workers from discrimination on the basis of certain hairstyles that have a close connection to race or national origin. Many states have titled these bills the Create a Respectful and Open Workspace for Natural Hair Act, or CROWN Act. New…
How New Jersey Protects Against Discrimination on the Basis of Criminal History
Criminal background checks are increasingly common in the hiring process. They often present a major stumbling block for people who are trying to put their lives together after a criminal conviction. Many employers simply refuse to hire anyone with a felony record, regardless of whether the offense has any relation…
New Jersey Law Prohibits Employment Discrimination Based on Tobacco Use
New Jersey’s employment laws prohibit employers from discriminating against employees and job applicants on the basis of a wide range of factors. The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination provides the broadest protection against numerous discriminatory acts and policies, such as race discrimination or sexual harassment. Other state laws bar employers…