Best Employment Lawyers in Jersey City

FAQs

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Jersey City, New Jersey?

  For non-emergencies in Jersey City, call the police at (201) 547-5477.

• Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Jersey City, New Jersey?

  To obtain an accident report, you have two options. Firstly, you can visit the Police Records Department located at 1 Journal Square Plaza, 4th Floor, Jersey City, NJ 07306, and make the request in person. Alternatively, you can send a mail request to the same address, indicating whether you prefer the report to be returned to you by mail or fax.

• Do employers in Jersey City need to provide proper sick leave benefits to employees?

  Yes. Employers in Jersey City are generally required to provide earned sick leave benefits to part-time or full-time employees. Exemptions to this requirement include employees such as construction workers hired under a union contract and healthcare employees working per diem are excluded. Public employees who are subject to other state laws and independent contractors are also not covered.

• What happens when a wage claim in Jersey City has been placed under investigation?

  A field investigator will check 24 months of the employer's records and then request an appointment with the employer once a Jersey City wage claim has been placed under investigation. The investigator will also organize interviews and determine if the employer violated any law and may need to pay any amount due. Then, the findings will be sent to the employer through the Assessment Letter. Should the employer contest the findings, they can request a conference.

• How would you know if you have a valid wrongful termination claim in Jersey City?

  You may have a valid wrongful termination claim in Jersey City if your employer violated the conditions of your employment contract. When you are a civil servant or union member who is suddenly terminated without probable cause, you may also have a valid claim. If you are considered an at-will employee, you may file a wrongful termination claim if you've been fired as a retaliatory action from your employer.

• When can you hold an employer in Jersey City responsible for a hostile work environment?

  An employer can be held responsible for a hostile work environment if it does not ensure that a workplace is free from discrimination or harassment. Employers in Jersey City are under obligation to maintain a safe workplace by reasonably knowing, putting an end to, or having a remedy in place when a hostile work environment develops.

• What kinds of compensation can you get if you are successful in your Jersey City lawsuit against your employer for violating New Jersey’s Equal Pay Act?

  If you win your Jersey City lawsuit against your employer for violating New Jersey’s Equal Pay Act, the remedies you will get are compensatory damages and payment for the litigation expenses and lawyer's fees. You may also get awarded punitive damages. New Jersey’s Equal Pay Act is an amendment to the state's Law Against Discrimination and has remedies the same as the latter. In addition, these laws impose upon violators the double payment of wages that have been unfairly withheld.

• What does an employment attorney do?

  Employment attorneys represent workers, companies, unions, and advocacy groups. Their primary job is preventing and resolving disputes related to state and federal employment regulations as well as civil rights. They assist with the development of policies, including laws and employee handbooks, and they represent clients in court and during administrative hearings overseen by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and state-level labor agencies.

• How much should I ask for in a discrimination lawsuit?

  Employment-related claims are among the most complex and time-consuming lawsuits heard in the civil court system. Before workers can file a lawsuit, they must file a claim with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Every year, the EEOC recovers $505 million for victims of workplace discrimination. When cases proceed to court, the average settlement is approximately $40,000. However, roughly 10% of claimants receive at least $1 million.

• How do I prove discrimination in the workplace?

  Discrimination lawsuits are typically based on an established pattern of behavior in the workplace. Employment attorneys who handle these claims generally advise clients to gather evidence and document all instances of discrimination, harassment, or abuse, as they occur. The following documents are often vital for proving workplace discrimination:

  • Personnel files
  • Payroll records
  • Employee handbooks
  • Diary or journal entries
  • Medical or mental health records
  • Reports from witnesses
  • Photos or video footage
  • Physical evidence

  
  

• Can I sue my company for a hostile work environment?

  Yes, offensive or unwelcome conduct that creates a hostile work environment and affects your terms of employment may give you reason to take legal action. However, rude or abusive behavior on its own isn’t illegal. It must also be tied to other legal issues, such as retaliation for reporting harassment or discrimination directed at members of a protected group.

• What is the EEOC?

  The EEOC is the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. It's a federal agency tasked with helping to enforce laws concerning discrimination in the workplace. Not all employers are covered under the EEOC. Typically, you have to work for an organization with at least 15 employees or for a labor union or agency to be covered by EEOC protections.

• How do I report an abusive boss?

  If you believe you're being discriminated against, you have several options. First, follow internal reporting procedures with human resources or other leadership. You can also file a charge of discrimination with the EEOC. Talking to an employment attorney can help you understand your options and protect your interests.

• What laws protect employees from job discrimination?

  • The Civil Rights Act of 1964 provides employees with protection against discrimination based on a wide variety of factors, including national origin, sex, religion, race, and color.
  • The Age Discrimination Act of 1967 applies age to the protected class.
  • The Equal Pay Act of 1963 forbids sex-based compensation discrimination.
  • The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 makes it illegal to discriminate on the grounds of disability in terms of employment decisions.
  • The Civil Rights Act of 1991 adds more protection and power to the federal government to enforce some of these laws.

• How do I file a wrongful termination claim?

  You can file a wrongful termination claim with the EEOC online, via mail, or in person at various EEOC branch offices. You may be able to file a complaint with a state agency. To determine an appropriate plan of action and which organizations you can file with, speak to an employment lawyer.

• What is unfair treatment at work?

  Unfair treatment is not the same as unlawful treatment. There aren't laws against unfair treatment, which can include a boss who generally bullies people into action or someone who doesn't make fair decisions about time off because of nepotism or mood. Such issues may not constitute a claim for a court argument or allegation, unlike unjust judgments made on the grounds of race or age. An employment attorney can clarify if unfair treatment is also unlawful.

• What are some workers\' rights related to injury and illness?

  Employees have a variety of rights related to time off if they're injured or fall ill. For example, in workplaces covered by the Federal Medical Leave Act, workers are allowed to take up to 12 weeks off without losing their position in a company. The leave is unpaid unless PTO time can be used to cover it. Employees may also have rights to file a workers' comp claim if they're injured on the job. All of these laws cover different situations and types of employers, and an employment attorney can help you understand what rights you have.

• Can an employer force you to work?

  This is a gray area in some cases, which is why it may be a good idea to consult an employment lawyer if you have concerns about your workplace. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration , workers have a right to refuse to work in dangerous situations. But the burden of proof that this is, in fact, the case, can weigh heavily on the employee.