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The phrase “everyone makes mistakes” is often used to discourage people from dwelling on their errors. However, those whose mistakes resulted in criminal records are left with an unshakeable stigma that interferes with their ability to make a living and support themselves and their families. In an effort to provide job applicants with criminal records a fair chance in obtaining employment, “Ban the Box” legislation has been passed in over 100 states, cities and counties and President Obama directed that federal agencies follow suit. This year, both New Jersey and New York City have passed such legislation. However, despite both being classified as “Ban the Box” statutes, New Jersey’s Opportunity to Compete Act and New York City’s Fair Chance Act are very different in the protections they offer. First, New Jersey’s statute applies only to employers with 15 or more employees over 20 calendar weeks, while New York City’s applies to companies with just four or more employees. With regard to the substantive protections provided by these laws, New York City’s statute provides much greater protection for applicants and employees with criminal records. When Employers Cannot Inquire about Criminal Backgrounds New Jersey: Employers are prohibited from inquiring about applicants’ criminal records during the initial employment application process (defined as through the first interview). However, if an applicant voluntarily discloses his/her criminal record during the initial employment application process, the employer can inquire about the specifics of the applicant’s criminal history. New York City: Employers cannot inquire about an applicant’s pending arrest or criminal conviction record until after a conditional offer of employment has been made. This includes a prohibition on conducting background checks as well as internet searches aimed at uncovering an applicant’s criminal history prior to the conditional offer of employment. Unlike New Jersey’s statute, if an applicant discloses his/her criminal record to a New York City employer prior to a conditional offer of employment, the employer must tell the applicant that the information will not be considered in determining whether to offer employment. In addition, New York Correction Law Article 23-A bans employment discrimination based on criminal records after the application process, providing further protection to New York City’s citizens. Both statutes prohibit employers from publishing advertisements that provide that applicants with criminal records will not be considered and from utilizing employment applications that ask about criminal history. After Employers Inquire about Criminal Backgrounds New Jersey: After the first interview of an applicant is conducted, New Jersey employers can inquire about and refuse to hire an applicant based on their criminal background unless the record has been expunged or pardoned. New York City: After a conditional offer of employment has been made, New York City employers can inquire about criminal convictions and require a background check. However, the employer still cannot inquire about arrests that did not result in a conviction or sealed convictions or use this type of criminal history in deciding not to hire an applicant. Once employers obtain information about other convictions, they can only withdraw conditional offers of employment if they prove (1) there is a direct relationship between the criminal record and the prospective job or (2) employing the applicant would involve an unreasonable risk to property, safety, or welfare using specific factors set forth in New York Correction Law Article 23-A. In notifying applicants of the withdrawal, New York City employers must comply with the “Fair Chance Process” and (1) disclose a written copy of their inquiry into the applicants criminal background, (2) share with applicants’ a written analysis of whether there is a direct relationship or unreasonable risk, and (3) allow three business days for the applicant to respond.  Of course, as with all laws, there are exceptions to New Jersey and New York City’s “Ban the Box” legislation including that applicants for law enforcement positions or for positions where a background check is required or employees with criminal records are prohibited by law are not protected. If you think your criminal background has been illegally considered in an employment application process, contact an attorney at Green Savits for additional information regarding these statutes or potential representation of your interests.

You deserve to thrive in your career. You work hard, you care about contributing to teamwork and your workplace culture, and you probably never expected to deal with a hostile work environment in return. Unfortunately, many Americans deal with just this problem. Under certain circumstances, workplace harassment may constitute a hostile work environment , and our attorneys may be able to help you pursue justice. If the following behavior is pervasive/severe, interfering with your work, and your employer knows about and has done nothing to stop it, then you may be in a hostile work environment: Unwanted touching Threats Assault Interfering with someone’s work Intimidation Slurs Jokes Mockery Ridicule Sexually suggestive comments, language, pictures, or videos These acts amount to discrimination against a legally protected group of people. The behavior is based on protected parts of a person’s identity, such as skin color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, national origin, marital status, gender identity, and more. A hostile work environment is more pervasive and persistent than one isolated incident in which someone said something offensive to you. The all-encompassing and relentless nature of a hostile work environment can eventually completely wear you down emotionally, mentally, and financially. The workplace may feel like an abusive, intimidating place to be because the harassment is ever-present. Employers have a responsibility to respond to and address complaints related to harassment and a hostile work environment. This obligation is legally binding. An employer who fails to investigate and take action to stop workplace harassment may be held accountable by our experienced employment attorneys and may ultimately have to pay damages to the victim of the hostile work environment. What To Do About It If you believe you are the victim of a hostile work environment, please call the experienced Florham Park employment attorneys at Green Savits at 973-695-7777. We will listen to all you have to say about what you are encountering at work, and then we can provide our recommendations and suggestions for what to do next. Our employment attorneys have lengthy experience in all of the case law, state and municipal laws, as well as federal laws that may affect your situation.

The New Jersey Family Leave Act is important legislation for residents of our state. Here are 5 things to know about the law:

As a person with a disability, you generally have a right to obtain employment without being harassed or discriminated against. Not only does Federal law provide certain protections, but so too does the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination.

In New Jersey, workplace sexual harassment is a type of illegal harassment. Illegal discrimination and retaliation must be for a prohibited reason (gender, race, sexual orientation, age, etc). Sexual harassment is harassment based on your gender.

In New Jersey, workplace sexual harassment is a type of illegal harassment. Illegal discrimination and retaliation must be for a prohibited reason (gender, race, sexual orientation, age, etc). Sexual harassment is harassment based on your gender. Not given the same opportunities as your peers at the job Passed over for promotions because of your age Harrassed for being an older employee at the organization Demoted because of your age Transferred to a less desirable position or department because of your age Asked to retire early or leave early because of your age Wrongfully discharged on the basis of age This is not an exhaustive list. Virtually any action an employer takes against an employee on the basis of age could ultimately be discriminatory by law. It’s up to you and your lawyer to show that your age is the reason you were discriminated against by the employer. These cases can be complex, but we have many years of experience representing people who have been in your shoes. Not only is there the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act addressig this type of discrimination, but there is also New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination. We have lots of experience with these statutes and regulations, and we can determine how they may play a role in your case. There may be several ways to obtain the best possible resolution to an age discrimination case. These cases don’t always go to court and full litigation, but they may. In other instances, they may be settled out of court in negotiations with the employer. We understand our clients want to know how much time, effort, and heartache will go into resolving the case. We work efficiently but we do not leave any stone unturned in our pursuit of the best possible results. Get The Answers You Need And Deserve If you think you may have experienced age discrimination at your job in New Jersey, please call the experienced employment attorneys at Green Savits LLC, at 973-695-7777 . We are passionate employment rights advocates in Florham Park.

Most of us have an intuitive sense of what constitutes discrimination at a restaurant, grocery store, or retail store. But recognizing disability discrimination in the world of work may be a little less clear.

Workplace sexual harassment is a serious offense that should not be taken lightly. Whether a co-worker makes unwanted physical advances towards you or a supervisor threatens to withhold pay or promotion without sexual contact, you should report the harassment as soon as possible.