Castronovo & McKinney, LLC provides legal representation to employees in Pleasantville, NJ facing employer discrimination related to family leave. Our attorneys enforce workers’ rights under the New Jersey Family Leave Act (NJFLA) and hold employers accountable for violations.
Protecting Your Rights Under the NJFLA
The NJFLA allows eligible employees up to 12 weeks of family leave every 24 months if they work for an employer with 50 or more employees within a 75-mile radius. This leave is available for bonding with a newborn or adopted child or caring for a seriously ill family member. Employers must maintain health insurance during leave and restore employees to the same or an equivalent position upon return.
Eligibility requires at least 12 months of employment and 1,250 hours worked in the prior year. Notice must be given 30 days before childbirth or adoption and 15 days for caregiving, though emergencies can shorten these requirements. Retaliation or denial of leave is prohibited by law.
When Family Leave Applies
Employees may take NJFLA leave to:
- Bond with a newborn, adopted, or foster child within one year of placement.
- Care for a child, spouse, parent, domestic partner, or close relative with a serious health condition.
- Assist a family member during a public health emergency.
The NJFLA does not cover an employee’s own serious medical condition, which falls under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
Common Employer Violations
- Denying or shortening eligible leave.
- Penalizing employees after returning to work.
- Using leave against employees in performance reviews.
- Misapplying NJFLA and FMLA as if they were identical.
How Castronovo & McKinney, LLC Helps
If your employer has denied NJFLA leave or retaliated against you, Castronovo & McKinney, LLC can help you pursue compensation for lost wages, benefits, and emotional distress. In serious cases, punitive damages may also be available, and employers may be responsible for legal fees and court costs.
Employees in Pleasantville, NJ facing family leave disputes should contact Castronovo & McKinney, LLC for direct guidance from experienced employment law attorneys. We ensure you receive the protections and leave guaranteed under New Jersey law.