New Jersey Family Leave Act: Protecting Your Rights in Union County
The New Jersey Family Leave Act (NJFLA) gives employees the right to take time off for family-related reasons, such as caring for a seriously ill family member or bonding with a newborn. If you’re facing issues with taking family leave, Castronovo & McKinney, LLC can help you protect your rights.
Expert Legal Assistance for NJ Family Leave Violations
Castronovo & McKinney, LLC specializes in defending employee rights across New Jersey, focusing on NJFLA violations. We hold employers accountable for any breach of family leave laws. During your consultation, you’ll work directly with an experienced family leave attorney who will explain your rights and options.
Know Your NJFLA Rights
Under New Jersey law, companies with 50 or more employees must provide up to 12 weeks of leave every 24 months for family-related purposes. Employers are required to maintain benefits such as health insurance and ensure that your job, or a similar position, is available when you return.
To qualify, employees must have been with their employer for at least 12 months and have worked 1,250 hours in the past year. The workplace must have 50 or more employees within a 75-mile radius.
Employees must provide advance notice of their leave:
- 30 days for childbirth or adoption
- 15 days for caring for a family member
- Shorter notice may be accepted in emergencies
Employers can ask for medical certification, but they cannot retaliate against employees exercising their NJFLA rights. Violations of the NJFLA can lead to legal consequences.
Reasons for Family Leave
Under the NJFLA, eligible 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 or ongoing medical needs
- Assisting a family member during a state of emergency, such as a communicable disease outbreak or school closures
Unlike the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the NJFLA does not provide leave for an employee’s own medical condition.
Common Violations of the NJFLA
Some common employer violations of the NJFLA include:
- Refusing leave to male employees for bonding with a newborn
- Demoting or reassigning female employees after they return from family leave
- Negative performance reviews based on protected leave
- Improperly combining NJFLA and FMLA leave
If you are facing any of these violations in Union County, it’s important to seek legal help to protect your rights.
How Castronovo & McKinney Can Help
If your rights under the NJFLA have been violated, we will take legal action against your employer. If you’ve been wrongfully terminated for using protected family leave, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages, benefits, and emotional distress. In cases of serious misconduct, punitive damages may be awarded. We also seek reimbursement for your legal fees and court costs in successful cases.
Contact Our Experienced NJFLA Attorneys in Union County
Castronovo & McKinney, LLC is committed to helping employees in Union County whose family leave rights have been violated. Our experienced attorneys will guide you through the legal process and ensure that your rights are protected. Contact us today for a consultation.