Castronovo & McKinney, LLC offers expert legal services to individuals in Margate City, NJ facing employer discrimination related to family leave. If you’re experiencing issues with family leave, our attorneys are here to protect your rights under the New Jersey Family Leave Act (NJFLA).
Our firm specializes in ensuring employees in Margate City, NJ receive the family leave they are entitled to under the NJFLA. We guide you through the legal process and hold employers accountable for any violations. When you consult with us, you’ll speak directly with an attorney who is well-versed in the NJFLA and can help you understand your legal options.
Know Your Rights Under The New Jersey Family Leave Act
The NJFLA guarantees employees working for employers with at least 50 employees within a 75-mile radius up to 12 weeks of family leave every 24 months. This leave is for family-related obligations such as bonding with a newborn or caring for a seriously ill family member. During this leave, employees are entitled to retain health insurance benefits and have their job (or a similar one) protected.
To qualify, employees must have worked for at least 12 months and accumulated at least 1,250 hours in the past year. Requests for leave require 30 days’ notice for childbirth or adoption and 15 days’ notice for caregiving. In emergency situations, these time frames can be shortened. Employers are prohibited from retaliating against employees who take leave, and violations can result in legal action.
Qualifying Reasons for Family Leave
Under the NJFLA, employees can take leave for the following reasons:
- Bonding with a newborn, adopted, or foster child within one year of birth or placement.
- Caring for a family member with a serious health condition, including children, spouses, parents, domestic partners, and others closely related by blood or law.
- Assisting a family member during a public health crisis, such as an epidemic.
Unlike the federal Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the NJFLA does not cover leave for an employee’s own medical condition.
Common Violations of the NJFLA
Employers who wrongfully deny leave for bonding with a newborn or penalize employees upon their return from family leave are violating the NJFLA. Other common violations include using leave against employees in performance evaluations or improperly combining NJFLA and FMLA leave. It’s important that employers treat NJFLA and FMLA as separate entitlements.
How Castronovo & McKinney Can Help
If your employer has denied or retaliated against you for taking NJFLA leave, Castronovo & McKinney, LLC is here to help. You may be entitled to compensation for lost wages, benefits, and emotional distress. In extreme cases, punitive damages may apply, and the employer may be required to cover legal fees and court costs.
If you are in Margate City, NJ, and need legal help with NJFLA rights, contact Castronovo & McKinney, LLC. Our experienced attorneys will fight to protect your rights and ensure you receive the family leave you’re entitled to.