New Jersey Employment Lawyers Safeguard Clients’ Rights

Experienced employment law guidance for workers and employers

At Deutsch Atkins & Kleinfeldt, P.C., our New Jersey employment lawyers advocate for employees whose rights have been violated. We also advise employers about their responsibilities to workers and about maintaining compliance with state and federal employment regulations. When you bring your employment matter to us, you’ll work with a firm with experience and a strong reputation for excellence. Our team has prevailed in cases that have altered the landscape of the state’s discrimination and employment law. 

New Jersey employment rights and protections for workers

Workers in New Jersey are protected by state and federal laws related to the following:

• Discrimination — You have the right to be free from discrimination based on statutorily recognized protected status (including, without limitation, race, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, pregnancy, disability, national origin). 
• Sexual harassment — We assist victims of quid pro quo and hostile work environment sexual harassment, which is a form of discrimination based upon gender or sex.
• Hostile work environment – employers may tolerate hostile work environments where the hostile treatment is motivated by a protected category under anti-discrimination laws.
• Failure to provide reasonable accommodations – laws require employers to make reasonable accommodations to disabilities or for religious beliefs. The failure to do so may constitute a form of discrimination.
• Retaliation – employers may not retaliate against employees for complaining of discrimination. In New Jersey and New York, employers may not retaliate against employees for whistleblowing activities, where employees disclose or objecting to the unlawful practices of employers.
• Wrongful termination and retaliation — Though New Jersey is an “at will” employment state, a firing constitutes wrongful termination if it violates a contract or arises from unlawful discrimination or retaliation. 
• Wage, hour and leave violations — Employers must follow minimum-wage and overtime laws, as well as the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the New Jersey Family Leave Act (NJFLA).
• Failure to pay wages or commissions – New Jersey has a strong wage payment law, that recognizes commissions as wages and may provide for the recovery of all wages plus liquidated damages. 

Our NJ employment lawyers represent workers whose rights are violated, working to recover compensatory damages and other remedies. 

Wage, overtime and misclassification issues

Most workers in New Jersey must be paid a minimum wage of $15.92 per hour (beginning in 2026). Non-exempt employees must be paid overtime at a rate of 1.5 times their hourly wage for hours worked over 40 in a week. Additionally, non-exempt employees cannot be expected to work off the clock. Some employers misclassify employees as independent contractors, either unintentionally or intentionally to get around these rules. If you believe you are not being paid required minimum wage and/or overtime or are misclassified, our lawyers will investigate and help you get the payment you are owed. 

Workplace discrimination and harassment claims in New Jersey

Federal law prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, age, pregnancy and disability. The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD) prohibits discrimination based on those categories, as well as on sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, pregnancy, genetic information, liability for service in the Armed Forces and more. If you believe you were subjected to dismissal or other negative job action due to being part of a protected status, our attorneys can determine if the action may have been based on illegal grounds and if so, whether legal claims and remedies should be pursued. 

Wrongful termination and retaliation claims

Wrongful termination is being let go from your job for an unlawful reason. Examples include discrimination, retaliation for reporting or complaining of unethical or illegal practices or for taking allowed medical leave. Retaliatory actions can also include firing, demotion or being made the victim of a hostile work environment. If you have been wrongfully terminated or otherwise retaliated against, we will help you gather the strongest evidence to prove your claim and pursue legal action. 

Family and medical leave rights for New Jersey employees

Under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act and the New Jersey Family Leave Act you may qualify for up to 12 weeks of unpaid time off work if you have a serious medical condition, have a family member with a serious illness, to care for or bond with a child or during a state of emergency. Depending on the specific situation, these benefits may run be used consecutively or concurrently. We can advise you for your circumstances. 

Workplace policies, contracts and severance agreements

We review and negotiate employment contracts and severance terms. We also advise workers on the negotiation, scope and enforceability of noncompete agreements. Our lawyers also help employers develop and maintain workplace polices and we represent business owners and high-level executives in shareholder, partnership and contract conflicts.

Contact our New Jersey employment attorneys for assistance 

The New Jersey firm of Deutsch Atkins & Kleinfeldt, P.C., delivers exceptional guidance to employees and employers on the full range of workplace legal concerns. Call us at 551-245-8894 or contact us online to schedule a meeting with one of our attorneys. 

Firm partner Bruce L. Atkins has earned an AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubbell®, a recognition of his legal ability and ethics by attorneys familiar with his work. Mr. Atkins and Adam J. Kleinfeldt are included on the Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers list in the areas of labor and employment law and plaintiffs’ employment litigation. 

Go to the following links for descriptions of selection methodologies for Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings and Super Lawyers. No aspect of these advertisements has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.