- New Jersey Sexual Harassment Lawyer
- New Jersey Retaliation Lawyer
- New Jersey Family and Medical Leave Lawyer
- New Jersey Hostile Work Environment Lawyer
- New Jersey Equal Pay Lawyer
- New Jersey Employment Discrimination Lawyer
- New Jersey Unpaid Overtime or Wages Lawyer
- New Jersey Severance and Separation Lawyer
- New Jersey Whistleblower Retaliation Lawyer
- New Jersey Wrongful Termination Lawyer
- New Jersey Contract Review and Negotiation Attorney
The federal government and New Jersey’s state government have laws in place to protect working people from being injured at work, facing discrimination at work, and being unfairly denied a fair wage and other employee rights. Despite these laws’ existence, employee rights violations occur regularly across the nation. If you feel you have faced this type of violation at work, an experienced Garfield employment law attorney can help you gain a deeper understanding of the situation and potentially pursue compensation for your damages.
At the Law Offices of Usmaan Sleemi, we are committed to helping employees like you pursue justice and, when applicable, financial compensation for your losses related to the violations of your rights. Our employment lawyers serve clients throughout Garfield, NJ, Bergen County, and the surrounding communities, including Saddle River.
CASE TYPES WE HANDLE
Our office works with individuals facing the following:
- Contract negotiation issues
- FMLA violations
- Whistleblower rights violations
- Workplace discrimination
- Retaliation
- Sexual harassment
- Severance review challenges
- Wage and hour disputes
- Wrongful termination
- Disability discrimination
TAKING ACTION WHEN YOUR RIGHTS ARE VIOLATED
If you feel your employee rights were violated in some way, it is your job to speak up and take action. Document every incident you face where you feel you have faced a violation, such as instances where you are asked to continue working after you have clocked out or interactions where you feel you have faced harassment. The documentation you keep is the evidence you will use to support your violation claim, should you choose to file one. Before discussing your case with an employment lawyer, discuss it with your company’s Human Resources department. If you cannot resolve it internally at this point, consider taking legal action.
Gathering relevant documents early in this process is important. Pay stubs, emails, performance reviews, and written policies can all help your attorney assess your situation. Workers in Garfield, NJ, often do not realize how strong their case may be until they speak with one of our employment lawyers.
NEW JERSEY EMPLOYMENT LAW VS FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT LAW
There are certain federal laws that nearly every employer in the United States must comply with, like the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) and the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. In addition to these federal laws, many states have additional laws in place to provide greater protection for employees. In New Jersey, these laws include the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD) and the New Jersey Equal Pay Act (NJEPA), a 2018 law that amended NJLAD.
In New Jersey, employment discrimination and other violation claims are handled by the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights (DCR). Federal violation claims are filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). After filing a claim with either agency, the agency investigates the claim to determine whether a violation has actually occurred. If so, the government agency may facilitate a settlement between the employee and the employer, or it may file a lawsuit to pursue compensation for the employee’s related damages.
New Jersey law also provides added protections around retaliation, religion-based discrimination, and disability accommodations that go beyond what federal law requires. Knowing which law applies to your situation can make a real difference in your claim.
Workplace Discrimination in Garfield, NJ
Workplace discrimination happens when an employer treats a worker unfairly because of a protected characteristic. In New Jersey, those protected characteristics include race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion, marital status, and more.
Employment discrimination can show up in many ways. An employer might pass someone over for a promotion, cut their hours, or create a hostile work environment. All of these actions may be prohibited under NJ law.
If you believe you have experienced employment discrimination in Garfield, NJ, or the surrounding Bergen County area, our attorneys can assess your situation and help you understand your options.
Disability Discrimination
Federal and New Jersey law prohibit employers from discriminating against workers because of a disability. This includes failing to provide reasonable accommodations, passing someone over for a promotion, or creating conditions that force a worker to quit.
If you have a disability and feel your employer in Garfield, NJ, or Bergen County has treated you unfairly, you may have a claim. Our attorneys can assess your situation and help determine what relief may be available.
Disability discrimination cases often involve complex legal standards. Our employment lawyers have the experience to help employees receive the fair treatment they are owed.
Religion-Based Discrimination
Religion is a protected class under both federal and New Jersey employment law. An employer cannot make decisions about hiring, firing, scheduling, or promotions based on an employee’s religion. They must also make reasonable accommodations for sincerely held religious beliefs when doing so does not create an undue hardship.
If your employer has discriminated against you in Garfield, NJ, because of your religion, you have rights. Our attorneys can help you understand what is prohibited and file a claim if appropriate.
Wage and Hour Disputes
Wage violations are more common than most workers realize. An employer may fail to pay overtime pay, misclassify workers as independent contractors, or require employees to work off the clock. All of these practices can violate both federal and New Jersey employment law.
Workers in Garfield, NJ, who are owed back wages have rights under the Fair Labor Standards Act and the New Jersey Wage and Hour Law. These laws set hour regulations that employers must follow, including rules about overtime pay for hours worked beyond 40 in a week.
Our employment lawyers help clients recover wages they are owed. Whether your case involves unpaid overtime pay, missed breaks, or other hour disputes, we can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
Sexual harassment is a form of workplace discrimination that is prohibited under both federal and New Jersey law. It includes unwanted advances, inappropriate comments, or a work environment that has become hostile because of a worker’s sex.
Both employees and employers in Garfield, NJ, should have a thorough understanding of what conduct crosses the line. Harassment does not have to be physical to be illegal.
Victims of sexual harassment at work have the right to file a claim and seek justice. Our law firm helps clients in Bergen County and throughout NJ take action and hold employers accountable.
Wrongful Termination
Wrongful termination occurs when an employer fires a worker for an illegal reason. This includes being fired because of discrimination, in retaliation for filing a complaint, or for exercising a protected right under New Jersey law or federal law.
New Jersey is an at-will employment state, which means an employer can let a worker go for almost any reason. But there are exceptions. If the termination violated a contract, was based on discrimination, or was done as retaliation, it may be unlawful.
Our employment lawyers serving Garfield work to hold employers accountable for wrongful termination. We advocate on behalf of workers throughout Bergen County and NJ.
Retaliation Claims
Retaliation happens when an employer punishes a worker for doing something legally protected, such as reporting harassment, filing a wage claim, or participating in a workplace investigation. Retaliation can take many forms, including demotion, reduced hours, a hostile work environment, or termination.
Under New Jersey law, employees have strong protections against retaliation. Our attorneys can help you assess whether what you experienced qualifies and what steps to take next.
Workers often fear losing their jobs if they come forward. Our law firm is here to protect your interests and guide you through the process.
Frequently Asked Questions About Employment Law in Garfield, NJ
What does an employment lawyer do?
An employment lawyer helps workers who have had their rights violated on the job. They can advise you on whether your situation may involve discrimination, harassment, wage violations, or wrongful termination. They can also help you file a claim, gather relevant documents, and represent you in negotiations or litigation if your case goes further. Employment lawyers serving Garfield and Bergen County can give you a clear picture of your legal options so you can make an informed decision about how to move forward.
How do I know if I have a workplace discrimination claim?
Workplace discrimination occurs when an employer treats you differently because of a protected characteristic like race, sex, religion, age, or disability. If you believe you were passed over for a job, denied a promotion, paid less, or fired because of one of these characteristics, you may have a discrimination claim. The best way to find out is to discuss your situation with an employment lawyer. Our attorneys in Garfield, NJ, can assess the facts and help you determine whether your rights were violated.
What is the difference between harassment and discrimination?
Both harassment and discrimination are forms of employment discrimination, but they work differently. Discrimination typically involves a specific adverse action taken against you, like being fired or demoted. Harassment involves unwanted conduct that creates a hostile or offensive work environment. Both are prohibited under New Jersey law and federal law. Our law firm handles both types of claims for workers throughout NJ, including Garfield and Bergen County.
How long do I have to file an employment claim in New Jersey?
The deadline to file a discrimination or harassment claim in New Jersey depends on where you file. Claims filed with the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights generally must be filed within 180 days of the violation. Claims filed in civil court under the NJLAD may have a longer window. Wage and hour disputes have their own filing deadlines. It is important to speak with an employment lawyer as soon as possible so you do not miss your deadline.
Can my employer retaliate against me for filing a complaint?
No. Retaliation is prohibited under both federal and New Jersey law. If you file a wage claim, report discrimination or harassment, or take part in a workplace investigation, your employer cannot punish you for it. If you have experienced retaliation after speaking up, you may have an additional claim on top of your original one. Our attorneys in Garfield, NJ, can help you assess the full scope of what happened and advocate on your behalf.
What should I bring to my first consultation with an employment lawyer?
Bring as many relevant documents as you can, including pay stubs, employment contracts, emails, performance reviews, and any written policies your employer has distributed. The more information your attorney has, the better they can assess your situation. Our law firm offers consultations for workers in Garfield, NJ, and throughout Bergen County. We want to hear what happened and help you figure out your next steps.
Do employment lawyers work on a contingency fee basis?
Many employment lawyers handle certain types of cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you do not pay unless you recover compensation. This varies depending on the type of claim and the law firm. During your consultation, ask your attorney how they handle fees and what to expect.
WORK WITH AN EXPERIENCED GARFIELD EMPLOYMENT LAW ATTORNEY
As an employee working in New Jersey, you have certain rights. And when your rights are violated, you can suffer a variety of damages ranging from missed paychecks to substantial psychological distress. If you feel you are facing a workplace rights violation, discuss your case with an experienced Garfield employment law attorney now.
Our employment lawyers are dedicated to serving Garfield, NJ, and the surrounding Bergen County communities, including Saddle River. We fight for the best possible outcome for every client we represent. When your well-being and livelihood are on the line, you deserve attorneys who understand New Jersey employment law and who will advocate for your clients rights from start to finish.
We have helped many workers in Garfield, New Jersey and across NJ file claims, recover wages owed, and hold employers accountable for discrimination and retaliation. Our law firm is here to do the same for you.
Contact the Law Offices of Usmaan Sleemi today at 973-866-9415 to schedule your initial legal consultation.