Author Archives: Jay Butchko
New Jersey Now has a $15.13 Per hour Minimum Wage for Most Workers
As of January 1st, 2024, the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development states that the state’s minimum wage is now $15.13 for many workers. The state’s minimum wage—which is significantly higher than the federal level—exists to help protect the “health, efficiency, and general well-being” of workers. Here, our New Jersey wage and… Read More »
Is it Sexual Harassment if a Boss Promises a Promotion in Exchange for Sexual Favors?
The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD) prohibits sexual harassment in the workplace. You may be wondering: Am I being sexually harassed if my boss is promising a promotion in exchange for sexual favors? The answer is “yes”—this is known as quid pro quo sexual harassment. Here, our Monmouth County workplace sexual harassment lawyer… Read More »
Does Signing a Severance Agreement Prevent You from Suing an Employer?
Are you preparing to sign a severance agreement? Did you already sign an agreement? You may have questions about the impact it will have on your rights. Severance pay is not required by law in New Jersey or New York. When an employee signs an agreement, he or she usually must agree not to… Read More »
Can an Employer in New Jersey Claw Back a Bonus If You Leave a Job Early?
Were you paid a bonus by an employer? Any contract related to the bonus matter. In New Jersey, employers include “claw back” provisions in bonus contracts. Investopedia defines a clawback as “a contractual provision that requires an employee to return money already paid by an employer.”In New Jersey, an employer may try to get… Read More »
Can You Be Fired in New Jersey If You Did Not Do Anything Wrong?
New Jersey is an at-will employment state. As described by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), the standard means that a relationship between an employer and employee is presumed to be voluntary and can be ended at any reason and for any time—but for violations of the law. Can you be fired in… Read More »
New Jersey Passes Domestic Workers Bill of Rights—Waiting for Governor’s Signature
According to a report from the Philadelphia Inquirer, New Jersey legislators have passed a domestic workers bill of rights. The proposed law—Assembly Bill 822 (AB 822)—is now waiting for the signature of New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. If it becomes law, it would impact tens of thousands of employees. Within this blog post, our… Read More »
New Jersey Attorney General Announces Settlement in Gender Pay Discrimination Case
On January 8th, 2024, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced that the state’s Division on Civil Rights (DCR) has reached a settlement in a gender pay discrimination case with AT&T. The employment law claim was filed on behalf of a female worker who alleges that her pay was lower than similarly-situated male… Read More »
Is Sexual Harassment More Common in the Restaurant Industry?
Unfortunately, sexual harassment is a serious problem in the restaurant industry. As reported by National Public Radio (NPR), a recent study found that “more than 70% of female restaurant employees have been sexually harassed.” Another study found that the EEOC received harassment complaints “from restaurant industry workers more often than from any other sector.”… Read More »
Four Myths About Wrongful Termination Claims in New Jersey
Did you or a loved one recently lose a job in New Jersey? If so, you may be considering bringing a legal claim against your employer. There are a lot of misconceptions about how wrongful termination cases actually work. At Poulos LoPiccolo PC, we have extensive experience handling wrongful termination lawsuits. In this article,… Read More »
New York City Subway Franchise Will Pay Punitive Damages for Firing Worker Who Cooperated With Wage and Hour Investigation
On September 27th, 2023, the Department of Labor (DOL) announced that a Subway franchise in New York City will pay $10,000 in punitive damages—as well as additional compensation for back pay—to an employee who was unlawfully retaliated against after they cooperated with a wage and hour investigation. Here, our New York retaliation lawyer explains… Read More »