At the completion of the inspection, the investigator will advise the employer of any violations and back wages which are due. The fees are paid directly to the State to offset the costs of the investigations. In our State, the median net wealth for white households is $352,000, but just $6,100 for Black households & $7,300 for Latinx households. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal government site. The user is on notice that neither the State of NJ site nor its operators review any of the services, information and/or content from anything that may be linked to the State of NJ site for any reason. "We're committed to using all available tools, including criminal prosecutions, to protect our workers and the integrity of our public contracts . - SCI Statute: Powers and Responsibilities, 50 West State St. 14th Floor
The misclassification of workers is illegal and damages the quality of life for the affected employees and their families. The State of NJ site may contain optional links, information, services and/or content from other websites operated by third parties that are provided as a convenience, such as Google Translate. Effective January 1, 2023, the New Jersey minimum wage is $14.13 per hour for most workers. Let us know anonymously if you suspect someone is unlawfully claiming benefits. TRENTON A unique partnership between the New Jersey Departments of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL), Treasury, Banking and Insurance, and the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has resulted in the assessment of more than $1.3 million in back wages and penalties to 20 contractors performing construction work at 88 Regent Street in Jersey City, where a multi-agency team of more than 60 investigators conducted an unannounced sweep in summer 2021 in response to allegations of workers being misclassified. Governor Sheila Oliver, Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Back Wages Returned to Summer Lifeguards in three Shore Towns After NJDOL Investigation Finds $400,000 Owed in Unpaid Overtime. Placement of the perpetrators name on the Central Registry ensures an added level of protection to individuals served as he/she is prohibited from working with individuals with an intellectual/developmental disability for a minimum of five years. Oct 2022 - Present6 months. For more information on New Jerseys wage and hour laws, please visitmyworkrights.nj.gov. They also did not pay CWHSSA-required overtime compensation to three employees, while one employee did not receive FLSA-required overtime wages. The U.S. Department of Labor is dedicated to ensuring employers pay essential workers all the wages they earned, said Wage and Hour Division District Director Jorge Alvarez in New York. Please subscribe today to NJ.com . Additionally, 14 minors were working without a proper Employment Certificate, and the time-in/time-out was not being documented the for minor employees, as the law requires. There are also instances when a complainant will have the option of pursuing a claim through a Wage Collection proceeding. Not taking any more messages and 2. Note: claims that are handled by mail usually only involve one person (for example, a former employee who did not receive their last paycheck). At the hearing, the Wage Collection Referee will gather all of the pertinent facts and will make a decision. Free Consultations (973) 364-8300 Hablamos Espaol Home Where can I look for a job in New Jersey? If you are unable to find a report, please email us or visit our FOIA page to request a report through the FOIA process. This sweep truly was a group effort, and I want to thank all the agencies involved for bringing justice to these workers. Temporary Disability BenefitsFamily Leave InsuranceMaternity Leave Unemployment Insurance Social Security Disability Workers' Compensation, Press ReleasesGrant NoticesEqual Pay ActMinimum WageJob AnnouncementsLaws, Rules, Administrative DecisionsNJ First, Data ToolsReportsNJ Industry StudiesCensusEmployment & Wages. The State of NJ site may contain optional links, information, services and/or content from other websites operated by third parties that are provided as a convenience, such as Google Translate. The penalties are applied after the investigator submits the case and the supervisor reviews the case and the employer history and determines the amount to be assessed. Princeton, New Jersey, United States. Several members of the NJDOL and OAG staff deserve kudos for their work on this matter and for achieving this outcome: From NJDOL, Legal Liaison Mindy Gensler, Assistant Commissioner of Wage and Hour and Contract Compliance Joseph Petrecca, Division Director David Biglin, Assistant Directors Toni Longo and Barry Hickey, and Assistant Chiefs Marc Goldberg and Lawrence Cirignano all had a hand in leading the investigation. Notice, Accessibility After this discussion, if the employer still disagrees, he or she may be scheduled for a conference with a Section Chief. The first violation results in a fee of 10% of the unpaid wages; a second offense results in an 18% fee; and a third or more offense results in a 25% fee. TRENTON A New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) investigation found that Bensalem-based subcontractor Men of Steel was in violation of New Jersey prevailing wage and worker misclassification laws while fabricating custom parts for a public works project. Just 35 miles south, Borough of Avalon lifeguards were paid a straight hourly rate for all hours worked, regardless of whether the workweek exceeded 40 hours thus denying 125 employees $116,161 in overtime. This investigation found 76 employees to be owed $94,114 in unpaid overtime wages. .h1 {font-family:'Merriweather';font-weight:700;} Depending on the nature of the claim, the claim will either be assigned to a field investigator, handled by mail, or referred for a Wage Collection proceeding. Department of Labor's unemployment line, Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC), Senator Anthony M. Bucco, Senator Jon Bramnick, Treasury Department's ANCHOR hotline. Jason K. Roberts began work in private practice as an associate in the Labor and Employment department of Bressler, Amery & Ross, P.C., a prominent, full service New Jersey based law firm. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. In lieu of litigation, the Department may seek back wages, liquidated damages, and civil money penalties, if applicable, through settlements with employers. The Employee Benefits Security Administration is satisfied that this settlement will result in a substantial recovery to plan participants of the losses that the fiduciaries actions caused, added OBrien. "To prevent violations from occurring in the first place, we encourage employers to contact the Wage and Hour . Wage Complaint for Non-Payment of Prevailing Wage Rate: if you are an employee working in New Jersey in a construction-related public works project, or if you provide building services (e.g. Such violations can be prevented if employers know and understand their legal requirements. The general contractor of the private construction project, Grand Street Construction of Jersey City, can be held responsible for the unlawful actions and back wages of its sub-contractors per N.J.S.A. If the employer does not agree that any wages are due, the complainant will be notified and will have the option of pursuing the matter through the Wage Collection proceeding process. If the telephone conference does not resolve the matter, or a telephone conference was not available, the employer will be scheduled for a hearing before a Hearing and Review Officer. Media Contact: Jennifer Sciortino. Learn about our identity verification process. Department of Labor & Workforce Development, Governor Phil Murphy Lt. For more information about the FLSA and other laws enforced by the division, contact the agencys toll-free helpline at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243). The Department was represented in this matter by the Office of the Attorney Generals Affirmative Civil Rights and Labor Section within the Division of Laws Affirmative Civil Enforcement Practice Group, including Eve Weissman, Mary Kenah, Shireen Farahani, John-Paul Proctor, and former DAGs Peter Basso and Micauri Vargas, under the supervision of Assistant Attorney General Mayur Saxena, drafted, served, and collected records from 55 subpoenas issued by the Department of Labor. *Effective May 27, 2014, the DHS Special Response Unit and the Office of Investigations merged to become the DHS Office of Investigations. When can I see the latest unemployment data? Home, DHS Fees are statutory in nature and are not subject to negotiation. ACC GREATER PHILLY Currently serving as President-Elect and on the Board of Directors. Note: wage claims that involve any kind of benefit that arises from an employment contract (for example, vacation, holiday, expense reimbursement, commission, severance or bonus pay) will be referred for a Wage Collection proceeding. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE. TRENTON - A New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) investigation found that Bensalem-based subcontractor Men of Steel was in violation of New Jersey prevailing wage and worker misclassification laws while fabricating custom parts for a public works project.. The law requires fiduciaries to discharge their duties solely in the interests of plan participants and beneficiaries in a prudent manner, and to diversify plan investments so the risk of large losses is minimized, said Employee Benefits Security Administration Acting Regional Director Cristina OBrien, in Philadelphia. Effective January 1, 2023, the New Jersey minimum wage is $14.13 per hour for most workers. Box 389Trenton, NJ 08625-0389Fax: (609) 695-1174. Governor Sheila Oliver. OI investigation data is also a critical component of the DHS Risk Management System. .agency-blurb-container .agency_blurb.background--light { padding: 0; } [CDATA[/* >