The 2024 election is over, but arguments over politics are likely to continue for quite some time. Families might fight about politics at the dinner table, but what happens when political speech enters the workplace? What rights do employees have to speak about matters of political importance at work, and…
While federal and New Jersey employment laws offer protections for most employees against a variety of adverse employment actions, public employees have an additional layer of protection from the U.S. and state constitutions. Certain employment actions could violate employees’ constitutional rights, and those employees may be entitled to damages. Section…
Employers often use contractual provisions to prohibit employees from disclosing information about discrimination and harassment claims. Non-disclosure clauses can bar employees from revealing information about legal disputes. Non-disparagement provisions often have a much broader scope, prohibiting negative statements about the other party. These provisions may prevent employees from warning others…
When a business engages in fraudulent, unlawful, or criminal activities, employees with inside knowledge of those activities are often the best source of information and evidence. Employees who object to their employers’ conduct might not want to come forward, though, if they could lose their jobs or suffer other employment…
Harassment in the workplace violates federal and New Jersey employment laws in certain circumstances. The harassment must be based on a protected category like race, sex, or religion. It must negatively impact someone’s employment, such as when it creates a hostile work environment. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) investigates…
Employees who suspect that their employers are engaging in unlawful acts might hesitate to report what they know for fear of losing their jobs. Federal and New Jersey employment laws address those concerns by prohibiting employers from retaliating against employees, commonly known as whistleblowers, who voice their concerns about allegedly…
The term “quiet quitting” gained traction on social media in 2022, and debates over whether or not it is a real phenomenon have continued throughout 2023. It generally involves employees who are unwilling to do more than what their job description specifically requires. A related concept, “quiet firing,” has also…
Employees who suspect wrongdoing by their employers might not report their concerns if they fear losing their jobs. New Jersey employment laws seek to protect these employees, commonly known as whistleblowers, by prohibiting retaliation by their employers. Laws at the state and federal level allow employees to file civil suits…
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 protects employees and job seekers throughout the country from discrimination, harassment, and other acts because of a disability. It also requires employers to make reasonable accommodations that can allow employees with disabilities to perform their job duties. New Jersey employment law also…
Laws that protect employees’ rights can only be effective if workers feel confident that they can assert their rights without suffering even worse consequences from their employers. A worker who believes their employer has violated the law will not be likely to make a complaint if their employer can demote…