Hackensack Employment Law Attorney

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The city of Hackensack is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in Bergen County, New Jersey. Originally home to the Algonquin people, residents of the city today hail from around the world. With such a diverse population, one would think that employment discrimination is a thing of the past. Unfortunately, employees in Hackensack continue to face discrimination in the workplace, as well as other illegal actions, such as sexual harassment, wage violations, and wrongful termination.  

If any of these things have happened to you, turn to Castronovo & McKinney, LLC, a premier employment law practice serving clients in Hackensack and around New Jersey. We regularly represent clients in arbitration and court proceedings and have a proven history of achieving successful outcomes in settlement negotiations and employment litigation. The sooner you contact our office, the sooner we can start working on your case.

Common Employment-Related Disputes in Hackensack, New Jersey

Our firm has extensive experience handling all types of employment disputes, including:

Employment Discrimination

There are several federal, state, and local laws that prohibit Hackensack employers from discriminating against employees and job applicants based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and other protected characteristics. In particular, employers cannot discriminate when making employment decisions, such as:

  • Hiring
  • Compensating
  • Promoting
  • Terminating 

Whether your job application was rejected because of the color of your skin, you were denied a promotion because you are pregnant, or you were terminated from your Hackensack workplace because of your age, you may have grounds for an employment discrimination claim. Contact us to see how we can help.

Sexual Harassment

All employees in Hackensack have a right to a work environment free from sexual harassment, which is considered an unlawful form of sex-based discrimination under federal and state law, including:

You should know that Title VII only applies to employers with 15 or more employees. Also, you must file a claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) before you can file a  lawsuit. At the same time, you have stronger legal protections under the NJLAD because this law applies to all employers in the state (excluding federal employers), regardless of the number of employees. In addition, there is no requirement to file an administrative complaint before filing a lawsuit. There are also steps you should take to protect your rights:

  • Tell the perpetrator their conduct is offensive and must stop
  • Report the offender to a supervisor or human resources personnel
  • Document any incidents of sexual harassment 
  • Contact an experienced sexual harassment attorney

At Castronovo & McKinney, we believe that no one should tolerate sexual harassment in the workplace. When you become our client, rest assured, we will protect your rights.

Wage and Hour Claims

All employees in Hackensack must be paid the state minimum wage, and certain employees must also be paid overtime for all hours over 40 per workweek. Under state law, employees are also entitled to paid sick leave. Despite these and other wage requirements, employers often violate these rules. Examples of wage theft include:

  • Failing to pay minimum wage/overtime
  • Misclassifying non-exempt employees as exempt
  • Taking illegal deductions
  • Withholding earned commissions

If you have been denied wages that are owed to you, our wage and hour attorneys will work to protect your rights through an individual or class-action lawsuit.

Wrongful Termination

If you work in Hackensack, you can be fired with or without cause because New Jersey is an “at-will” employment state. However, you cannot be fired for an illegal reason. For example, you cannot be terminated because of your age, for exercising a legally protected right (e.g. complaining about discrimination or harassment), or for reporting illegal conduct (whistleblowing).

Employers often get around these prohibitions by claiming an employee was terminated for performance reasons. If you believe that you have been wrongfully terminated, our experienced employment attorneys will work to make sure you are justly compensated. 

Hostile Work Environment

If you work in Hackensack and have been subjected to a hostile work environment on the job or your business is facing allegations of sexual harassment, it is crucial to have informed representation. When you consult with our Hackensack attorneys, we will take the time to understand your circumstances and help fight for your rights.

Representing Employers in Hackensack 

Our attorneys provide advice and counsel to business owners in the city and around the state about the applicable employment laws and work to help them mitigate potential liabilities. Whether your business needs assistance establishing employment policies, creating employee handbooks, training supervisors and staff, or defending an employment law claim, we can help. 

Contact Our Experienced Hackensack, New Jersey Employment Lawyers

At Castronovo & McKinney, we are highly regarded for providing our clients with informed representation and dependable service. Well-versed in the applicable federal, state, and local laws governing workplaces in Hackensack, we are the informed choice in employment and labor law. When the employment relationship breaks down, we work to help our clients find workable solutions. If litigation becomes necessary, we are comfortable in state and federal court. If you are facing a workplace dispute, don’t go it alone. Contact our office today to learn how we can help.