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Experienced Glen Rock Employment Attorneys Serve Workers and Businesses

Bergen County employment lawyers help you understand your rights and protections        

The relationship between employers and employees is generally one of mutual benefit. However, circumstances can arise which pit one side against the other, possibly escalating to a legal conflict. At Feitlin, Youngman, Karas & Gerson, LLC in Glen Rock, our New Jersey employment law attorneys work to resolve conflicts on terms favorable to our clients, whether they are employers or employees. We draw on decades of experience find creative solutions that uphold our clients’ rights. When negotiation, mediation or arbitration do not produce fair settlements, our talented trial lawyers are prepared to pursue justice in court.

Understanding employment law In New Jersey

When employers violate these state and federal regulations, their workers have the right to seek remedies either through administrative agencies or in court. In our employment law practice, the issues we most frequently manage for our clients include:

  • Wrongful termination — Most employment in New Jersey is at will, meaning that either party can terminate the relationship for any lawful reason, or no reason at all. However, companies cannot fire employees for exercising protected rights, filing a legitimate grievance, or acting as a whistleblower. They also cannot fire workers based on discrimination against a legally protected group.  
  • Wage and hour violations — Employers must pay workers at least the minimum wage and overtime, according to state and federal rules. Conflicts often arise when employers demand “off the clock” work, and miscategorize workers as independent contractors or management to avoid paying overtime.
  • Retaliation — Employers may not discipline workers for reporting misconduct or exercising a protected right of employment.
  • FMLA claims — The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allows certain employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year and to maintain their eligibility for health insurance during this period.
  • Discrimination — Employers may not discriminate in hiring, firing, promotion, or any job benefit on the basis of certain legally protected factors, including race, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, and disability.
  • Sexual harassment — Employers cannot allow supervisors to make quid pro quo demands for sexual favors of subordinates or create a hostile work environment based on sexual talk or behavior.

Our attorneys provide reliable guidance on the law for employers, as well as determined representation for parties on either side of an employment dispute.

Helping workers understand their rights 

Rights that New Jersey workers have include:

  • Reasonable accommodations for disabilities
  • Reasonable accommodations for pregnancy
  • Unpaid leave to care for a sick family member
  • Unpaid leave to care for with a newly born or adopted child
  • Freedom from discrimination against legally protected groups
  • Workers’ compensation coverage from the first day of employment
  • State minimum wage of $14.13 for employers with 6 or more workers and $12.93 for smaller businesses with time-and-a-half overtime for nonexempt employees
  • WARN Act protections during large layoffs
  • CROWN Act protections allowing individuals to wear their preferred hairstyles
  • OSHA-compliant working conditions

If you feel any of your rights have been violated, and your employer has not remedied the situation, you should speak to an employment lawyer at our firm.     

Mischaracterization of freelancers or independent contractors

As the “gig economy” grows, more workers are earning a living as independent contractors. Employers usually do not have to provide benefits or overtime to these workers. However, some employers unlawfully mischaracterize workers to evade those responsibilities and reduce their taxes. If the work you do deserves to be labeled employment, our attorneys can evaluate your situation and advise you on the best course of action.

Contact our Glen Rock employment law attorneys to uphold your rights

Feitlin, Youngman, Karas & Gerson, LLC represents employers and employees in Bergen County and throughout New Jersey in employment law disputes. For a consultation, call us at 201-468-0966 or contact us online. Our office is in Glen Rock.