May
May 2 – Gov. Murphy signed a law expanding the definition of per diem health care employee for purposes of earned sick leave
On May 2, 2018, Governor Walker signed Assembly Bill 1827. The law expands the definition of per diem health care employees for purposes of earned sick leave.
The new law becomes effective October 29, 2018.
May 2 – Gov. Murphy signed a law requiring successor employers to recognize the sick leave accrued by employees under the predecessor
On March 28, 2018, Governor Walker signed Assembly Bill 1827. The law adds a provision to the state’s paid sick leave law requiring successors employers to allow employees to keep the sick leave accrued while employed by the predecessor.
The new law becomes effective October 29, 2018.
April
April 24 – Gov. Murphy signed a law addressing changes to the state’s equal pay and employment discrimination laws
On April 24, 2018, Governor Walker signed Senate Bill 104. The law makes several changes to the state’s equal pay and employment discrimination laws including:
- clarifying that each instance of discimination is a separate unlawful employment practice
- establishing that the backpay statute of limitations for an offense is six years
- prohibiting employers from requiring employees to agree to shorten or waive the statute of limitations
- prohibiting employers from discipling or otherwise penalizing employees for discussing or disclosing their wages and other terms and conditions of employment with other employees
- prohibiting employers from requiring employees to sign a waiver that they will not discuss or disclose their wages or other terms and conditions of employemnt with other employees
- explaining the factors that will be considered when determining if differences in rates of compensation are justified
- prohibiting an employer who is paying unequal compensation to lower the higher compensation to come into compliance with the law
- providing for three times damages when a jury determines an employer has committed an unlawful employment practice
The new law becomes effective July 1, 2018.
April 11 – Gov. Murphy signed a law requiring public and private schools and other education institutions to review the employment history of prospective employees
On April 11, 2018, Governor Walker signed Senate Bill 414. The new law requires school districts, charter schools, nonpublic schools, and contracted service providers holding contracts with school districts, charter schools, or nonpublic schools to conduct reviews of applicants prior employment history. The law explains the procedure schools and contractors must follow when conducting the reviews.
The new law becomes effective July 1, 2018.
January
January 16 – Gov. Murphy signed a law extending certain employment protections to members of the Armed Forces and Reserves
On March 28, 2018, Governor Walker signed Senate Bill 713. The law extends certain employment protections to members of the Armed Forces and Reserves. The protection had previously only been available to members of the organized militia. The employment protections include, but are not limited to, making it illegal for any individual to prevent or interfer in the employment of a member or the Armed Services or Reserves.
The new law became effective when signed.
