New Jersey Employment and Labor Lawyer

Employment & Labor Attorney in New Jersey

Work is supposed to be a place where you earn a living, not a place where you lose your peace of mind, your dignity, or your sense of safety. Yet too many New Jersey employees find themselves dealing with unfair pay, discrimination, or retaliation for speaking up or asserting their rights. 

When employers break the law, knowing what to do next isn’t always easy. But if you find yourself in that predicament, it’s a strong signal to consult a New Jersey employment and labor lawyer. At Reinartz Law Firm, we help New Jersey professionals and workers from all walks of life and occupations understand their rights and take action. 

Working with an experienced employment lawyer can empower you to hold your employer accountable for wrongdoing and pursue the justice you deserve and compensation for all you’ve suffered.

New Jersey Employment and Labor Lawyer Guide

• Common Employment Law Issues in New Jersey
• Key New Jersey Employment Laws to Know
• Employment Contracts, Non-Compete, and Restrictive Covenants
• Wage Theft, Minimum Wage, and Overtime Violations
• Internal Investigations and Retaliation
• Damages Available in Employment Law Claims
• FAQs About Employment Law in New Jersey
• Ready to Talk With a New Jersey Employment and Labor Lawyer?

What Is Employment Law?

Employment law governs the relationship between employees and employers. It defines workplace rights, outlines employer obligations, and establishes legal remedies for violating those rights. 

In New Jersey, employment law encompasses both state and federal court protections, giving workers powerful tools to address misconduct.

But knowing your rights isn’t always enough. Employers sometimes sidestep obligations, hoping workers won’t notice, care, or stand up for themselves. That’s where having an experienced New Jersey workers’ compensation attorney can truly help.

We work to protect employees across multiple industries and employment levels, from hourly workers to corporate executives, who face:

• Workplace discrimination
• Wage theft or unpaid overtime
• Wrongful termination
• Sexual harassment
• Retaliation
• Contract disputes
• Hostile work environment claims
• Breach of non-compete or non-solicitation agreements

It’s your employment lawyer’s job to interpret how these laws apply to your circumstances and to put those laws to work for you, protecting your rights and career.

Common Employment Law Issues in New Jersey

Each year, thousands of New Jersey workers suffer unfair or illegal treatment on the job. Employment law aims to keep workplaces fair, safe, and free of bias. Below are some of the most frequent problems employees face and why securing experienced legal representation is so valuable.

Discrimination and Protected Characteristics

New Jersey law firmly prohibits discrimination against employees or job applicants based on certain traits known as protected characteristics. Under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD) and federal statutes like the Civil Rights Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), employers cannot treat you differently because of:

• Race or national origin
• Color
• Age
• Gender or sexual orientation
• Gender identity
• Marital status
• Pregnancy
• Religion or creed
• Disability
• Military status

Discrimination often appears in hiring, pay decisions, promotions, discipline, layoffs, or daily interactions that create a hostile environment. For example, repeated slurs, exclusion from meetings, or being overlooked for projects because of your race or gender can all violate employment laws.

Sexual Harassment and Hostile Work Environment

Sexual harassment remains one of the most reported employment issues in New Jersey workplaces. It includes any unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that affects your job or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment.

Harassment can take many forms, such as:

• Inappropriate jokes or comments
• Unwanted physical contact
• Requests for dates or sexual favors in exchange for job benefits
• Displaying explicit materials in the workplace

Even if a coworker—not a supervisor—is the harasser, your employer has a duty to investigate and take corrective action. If they fail, you can seek justice for the harm done.

Wage and Hour Claims

Fair pay is one of the fundamental rights protected under both New Jersey employment law and federal statutes like the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Yet many workers discover that employers cut corners on wages to save money. Common wage violations include:

• Failing to pay minimum wage
• Withholding overtime pay
• Misclassifying employees as independent contractors to avoid benefits
• Forcing employees to work off the clock

These practices are illegal, and employees are often entitled to back pay, liquidated damages, and sometimes attorney’s fees. Speaking with a New Jersey employment lawyer can help you determine whether you have a valid wage and hour claim and what evidence is necessary to prove your case.

Wrongful Termination

Although New Jersey is an “at-will” employment state—meaning employers can generally fire employees for any reason or no reason at all—there are some significant exceptions. New Jersey employers cannot terminate workers for:

• Filing discrimination complaints
• Reporting illegal activities under the Conscientious Employee Protection Act (CEPA), also known as New Jersey’s Whistleblower Act.
• Taking family or medical leave
• Asserting wage rights
• Refusing to engage in illegal conduct

Being fired for these protected activities may constitute wrongful termination, giving you grounds for a legal claim. An employment lawsuit can help you recover lost wages, emotional distress damages, and even reinstatement in some cases.

Key New Jersey Employment Laws to Know

While federal laws establish a baseline of employee rights, New Jersey employment law often provides even broader and stronger protections. Here’s a closer look at significant statutes that safeguard workers:

New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD)

The NJLAD is one of the strongest anti-discrimination laws in the country. It makes it illegal for employers to discriminate against employees based on protected characteristics listed earlier. 

NJLAD also prohibits retaliation against workers who complain about discrimination or participate in an investigation. Employers with as few as one employee are subject to the NJLAD, making it a powerful tool for workers across the state.

Conscientious Employee Protection Act (CEPA)

Known as New Jersey’s “whistleblower law,” CEPA shields employees who report wrongdoing at work. Under CEPA, it’s unlawful for employers to retaliate against workers who:

• Report illegal or fraudulent business activities
• Testify or cooperate in government investigations
• Refuse to participate in activities they reasonably believe are illegal, fraudulent, or harmful to public health

Employees who suffer retaliation under CEPA can seek damages, including reinstatement, back pay, and legal costs.

New Jersey Family Leave Act (NJFLA)

The NJFLA provides eligible employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave during a 24-month period for:

• The birth or adoption of a child
• Serious illness of a family member

Unlike the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which only applies to employers with 50 or more employees, the NJFLA covers employers with as few as 30 employees, offering broader protections for New Jersey workers.

New Jersey Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (NJPWFA)

Pregnancy should never cost someone their job. The NJPWFA requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to pregnant workers and those recovering from childbirth. Examples include:

• Modifying work schedules
• Allowing extra bathroom breaks
• Providing seating or assistance with manual labor
• Offering private space to express breast milk

Employers cannot retaliate against workers for requesting these accommodations or for taking pregnancy-related leave.

Employment Contracts, Non-Compete, and Restrictive Covenants

Employment agreements can protect both employees and employers, but sometimes they impose unfair restrictions on workers trying to earn a living. A knowledgeable New Jersey employment lawyer can review your contracts to ensure they comply with New Jersey law and don’t unlawfully limit your career.

Non-Compete Agreements

Many employers require workers to sign non-compete agreements, restricting their ability to work for a competitor after leaving the job. In New Jersey, these agreements are enforceable only if they:

• Protect the employer’s legitimate business interests
• Are reasonable in geographic scope and time
• Do not cause undue hardship to the employee

Overly broad non-compete clauses may be invalid. If your employer threatens to enforce an unreasonable restriction, legal representation can help protect your right to pursue your career.

Non-Solicitation Agreements

Non-solicitation agreements prevent former employees from soliciting the company’s customers, clients, or other employees. Courts in New Jersey scrutinize these agreements to ensure they’re not unnecessarily broad or punitive.

If your new job is threatened because of a non-solicitation clause, consult an experienced employment and labor lawyer with Reinartz Law Firm today. You may have defenses under state and federal laws, particularly if the restriction is excessive or vague.

Employment Contracts and Severance Agreements

Employment contracts often outline compensation, duties, grounds for termination, and dispute resolution procedures. However, even a signed contract doesn’t give employers permission to violate anti-discrimination laws or wage protections.

Similarly, severance agreements frequently contain waivers of legal claims. Before signing one, it’s wise to have Reinartz Law Firm’s New Jersey employment lawyers review the document. You may be entitled to negotiate better terms or retain certain legal rights.

Wage Theft, Minimum Wage, and Overtime Violations

The cost of living in New Jersey is high. Workers deserve every dollar they earn. Unfortunately, wage theft remains widespread across multiple industries, including:

• Hospitality
• Construction
• Healthcare
• Retail
• Transportation

Employers sometimes withhold overtime, fail to pay minimum wage, or make illegal deductions from paychecks. Under both the New Jersey Wage and Hour Law and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), workers have strong protections, including the right to:

• Minimum wage of at least $15.13 per hour in 2025 for most New Jersey employees
• Overtime pay of 1.5 times the regular rate for hours over 40 in a week
• Timely payment of wages

Victims of wage theft can recover back pay, liquidated damages, and, in many cases, attorney’s fees. A New Jersey employment lawyer can help you calculate what you’re owed and take legal action against employers who violate wage laws.

Internal Investigations and Retaliation

When an employee complains of harassment, discrimination, or illegal conduct, companies often launch internal investigations. These inquiries can feel stressful and intimidating, but you still have rights:

• You can speak with an attorney before participating
• You cannot legally be punished for cooperating or refusing to lie
• Employers must conduct investigations fairly and confidentially

If an employer retaliates against you—such as demoting you, changing your schedule, or creating a hostile work environment—because you raised concerns, that may violate laws like the Conscientious Employee Protection Act (CEPA) or the NJLAD.

Damages Available in Employment Law Claims

Victims of workplace misconduct may be eligible for compensation. Depending on your case, recoverable damages might include:

• Back pay for lost wages and benefits
• Front pay if you can’t return to your prior position
• Compensatory damages for emotional distress or reputational harm
• Punitive damages to punish severe misconduct
• Attorneys’ fees and costs

Courts also have the power to order employers to reinstate wrongfully terminated employees or stop discriminatory practices.

A New Jersey employment and labor lawyer with Reinartz Law Firm can explain the potential value of your claim and what steps to take next.

FAQs About Employment Law in New Jersey

Ready to Talk With a New Jersey Employment and Labor Lawyer?

At Reinartz Law Firm, our New Jersey employment law attorneys know that your career isn’t just a paycheck. It’s your livelihood, your identity, and your future. We’re here to help you stand up against unfair treatment, discrimination, unlawful pay practices, and other illegal workplace conduct.If you’re dealing with an employment dispute, retaliation, or violation of your rights, don’t wait to seek help. Let our team help you seek justice, recover your losses, and move forward with confidence. Call Reinartz Law Firm today at (201) 289-8614 or contact us online for a free consultation.

The Reinartz Law Firm - Hackensack Office

Address: 21 Main St Suite 205
Hackensack, NJ 07601

Testimonial

HEATHER F.

"Richard guided me in my suit and made me feel confident in my decisions during my entire case. He made recommendations that I otherwise, would not have known about."