In a recent unpublished decision, New Jersey’s Appellate Division make it clear that an employee does not have to have a severe or permanent impairment to have a viable disability discrimination to be protected by the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (“LAD”). The case was filed by Bart Algozzini, who…
New Jersey Employment Lawyer Blog
Taxation of Employment Law Settlements
When you settle an employment law case, typically most or all of the money you receive will be taxable. Nonetheless, it is both common and important to discuss the tax allocation as part of the settlement negotiation, including what portion will be reported on an IRS form W-2, and what…
Court Addresses When Commissions are Covered by Wage Payment Law
The New Jersey Wage Payment Law (“WPL”) is an important employment law that requires employers to pay employees their wages on time. Since August 2019, the WPL has entitled employees whose employers fail to pay them on time to recover not only their unpaid wages, but also up to 200%…
Timing Between Protected Activity and Adverse Employment Action Supports Whistleblower Claim
A recent unpublished opinion from New Jersey’s Appellate Division overturned a trial court decision dismissing his whistleblower claim under the Conscientious Employee Protection Act (“CEPA”). The case serves as a reminder that close timing between a legally-protected activity and an adverse employment action can be powerful evidence to support a…
Non-Disparagement Clause Cannot Prevent Employee From Discussing Discrimination
Today, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (“LAD”) prohibits non-disparagement agreements that have the impact of preventing an employee from discussing the facts of their discrimination, harassment or retaliation claim. Non-disparagement clauses are very common in settlement agreements in employment law cases. Typically,…
FTC Bans Most Non-Compete Agreements
New Rule Will Ban Most Non-Compete Provisions The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) has issued a new Rule that soon will ban virtually all non-compete agreements in the United States. Specifically, on April 23, 2024, the FTC issued a new Rule that deems it to be an unfair method of competition…
Discriminatory Job Transfer Can be Actionable Without Significant Harm
The United States Supreme Court recently ruled that an employee who brings a lawsuit alleging she was transferred to another position for a discriminatory reason does not have to prove the transfer caused her significant harm. Jatonya Clayborn Muldrow is a police sergeant in the St. Louis Police Department. She…
Condominiums Can be Required to Allow Emotional Support Animal as Reasonable Accommodation for Resident’s Disability
The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (“LAD”) can require a condominium association to allow a resident to keep an emotional support dog as an accommodation for a disability even if the dog exceeds the association’s weight limit for pets. K.P. and B.F. live at Players Place II, a condominium complex…
Employees Can Proceed with Claim Employer Sued Them for Alleging Discrimination
A recent decision by the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey recognizes that an employer filing a lawsuit against an employee because he asserted a discrimination claim against it can be an act of unlawful retaliation in violation of the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (“LAD”)…
Court Dismisses Failure to Accommodate Claim But Allows Related Retaliation Claim to Proceed
Recently, the District of New Jersey dismissed an employee’s disability discrimination and failure to accommodate disability claims, but did not dismiss her related retaliation claim. Amber Ray worked as a Project Manager/Estimator for Elecnor Hawkeye, LLC. Before she began working for Elecnor, Ms. Ray had been diagnosed with Lupus. However,…