New Jersey Family Leave Act: Protecting Your Rights in Buena Vista Township
The New Jersey Family Leave Act (NJFLA) allows employees to take time off for family-related needs, such as caring for a seriously ill family member or bonding with a newborn. If your employer is preventing you from taking family leave, Castronovo & McKinney, LLC can help you enforce your rights.
Legal Representation for NJFLA Violations
Castronovo & McKinney, LLC fights for employees across New Jersey facing NJFLA violations. We hold employers accountable for denying leave, retaliating against workers, or otherwise violating state family leave laws. Our attorneys will assess your situation, explain your legal options, and take action to protect your rights.
Your NJFLA Protections
New Jersey law requires companies with at least 50 employees to provide up to 12 weeks of leave every 24 months for family-related reasons. Employers must continue benefits like health insurance and guarantee job protection upon return.
To qualify, employees must:
- Have worked for their employer for at least 12 months
- Have logged 1,250 hours in the past year
- Work for a company with at least 50 employees within a 75-mile radius
Employees must provide:
- 30 days’ notice for childbirth or adoption
- 15 days’ notice for caring for a family member
- Shorter notice may be allowed in emergencies
Employers can request medical certification but cannot retaliate against employees for taking leave.
Qualifying Reasons for Family Leave
Under the NJFLA, employees can take leave for:
- 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
- Assisting a family member during a state of emergency, such as a disease outbreak or school closure
Unlike the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the NJFLA does not cover an employee’s own medical condition.
Employer Violations of NJFLA
Common NJFLA violations include:
- Denying leave to fathers for bonding with a newborn
- Reassigning or demoting mothers returning from leave
- Giving negative performance reviews based on protected leave
- Forcing employees to use NJFLA and FMLA leave simultaneously when they qualify for both
If your employer in Buena Vista Township has violated your rights, legal action may be necessary.
How Castronovo & McKinney, LLC Can Help
If you have been denied leave, faced retaliation, or were wrongfully terminated for taking NJFLA leave, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages, benefits, and emotional distress. In cases of serious violations, punitive damages may be available. We also seek reimbursement for legal fees and court costs in successful cases.
Contact Experienced NJFLA Attorneys in Buena Vista Township
Castronovo & McKinney, LLC is dedicated to protecting employees in Buena Vista Township. Our attorneys will fight to uphold your rights under the NJFLA. Contact us today for a consultation.