Protect Your Rights Under the New Jersey Family Leave Act (NJFLA)
The New Jersey Family Leave Act (NJFLA) guarantees employees in Egg Harbor City, NJ up to 12 weeks of job-protected leave every 24 months for family-related reasons, such as caring for a seriously ill family member or bonding with a newborn. Castronovo & McKinney, LLC represents employees who face discrimination or retaliation from employers violating this law.
Understanding NJFLA Protections
Under New Jersey law, employers with 50 or more employees within a 75-mile radius must provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave while maintaining health benefits and other employment protections. Employees must have worked at least 12 months and 1,250 hours for their employer to qualify.
Leave requests require advance notice: 30 days for childbirth or adoption, 15 days for family care, with exceptions for emergencies. Employers may require medical certification but cannot retaliate against employees for exercising their rights.
Qualifying Reasons for Leave
- Bonding with a newborn, adopted, or foster child within one year of placement
- Caring for a family member with a serious health condition, including a broad range of relatives and those with a family-like bond
- Supporting family during public health emergencies, including school closures due to communicable diseases
Note: NJFLA does not cover leave for the employee’s own medical condition, unlike the federal FMLA.
Common NJFLA Violations
- Denying leave to male employees for newborn bonding
- Demoting or reassigning employees returning from family leave
- Penalizing employees in performance reviews for taking protected leave
- Improperly overlapping FMLA and NJFLA leave, which are separate entitlements
These violations require legal expertise to challenge effectively.
How Castronovo & McKinney, LLC Can Assist You
Our firm aggressively holds employers accountable for NJFLA violations. If you were wrongfully terminated or retaliated against for taking protected leave, you may recover lost wages, benefits, emotional distress damages, and potentially punitive damages. We also pursue coverage of your legal fees and court costs.
Clients in Egg Harbor City receive direct guidance from experienced family leave attorneys who understand the complexities of NJFLA enforcement.
Contact Castronovo & McKinney, LLC
If your employer in Egg Harbor City, NJ has denied or interfered with your family leave rights under the NJFLA, reach out to Castronovo & McKinney, LLC. Our attorneys are ready to protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.