A recent decision from the New Jersey Appellate Division affirms a trial court’s order requiring Gerber Products Company to bring a witness from Switzerland to New Jersey, at Gerber’s expense, to testify at a deposition in a discrimination lawsuit. A deposition is a formal interview under oath used to obtain…
Articles Posted in New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (“LAD”)
New Jersey Court Analyzes Time Off as Reasonable Accommodation for Disability
Under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (“LAD”), time off can be a reasonable accommodation for a disability as long as the time off sought is reasonable. A recent decision from the District of New Jersey provides a good example of how Courts analyze this issue at the early stage…
Sexual Assault of Student Can be Sexual Harassment in Violation of New Jersey Law Against Discrimination
Yesterday, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that a sexual assault against a student can constitute sexual harassment in violation of the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (“LAD”). In addition to prohibiting discrimination in the workplace, the LAD also prohibits it in places of public accommodation, including public schools and…
When Are Employers Liable for Harassment Toward Customers?
A new ruling from the Appellate Division addresses when an employer can be liable for unlawful harassment by one of its employees toward a customer or patron. The case was brought by Darien Cooper, who is gay. Mr. Cooper received a massage at Rogo Brothers, Inc., which does business under…
Non-Disparagement Clauses Do Not Violate New Jersey Law Against Discrimination
Last week, in Savage v. Township of Neptune, the Appellate Division ruled that a 2019 amendment to the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (“LAD”) does not prohibit parties from entering into non-disparagement clauses. The Appellate Division’s opinion involved Christine Savage, a Sergeant for the Township of Neptune Police Department. Sgt.…
When Can an Employer Require a Fitness for Duty Exam?
As a New Jersey employment lawyer, I have had numerous clients tell me their employer has asked or required them to undergo a fitness-for-duty examination. However, anti-discrimination laws limit when an employer has the right to send an employee to a medical exam. Protection Under Anti-Discrimination Laws The Americans with…
Requiring Employee to Seek Another Job is an Adverse Employment Action
A recent case recognizes that an employer’s decision to remove an employee from her job and give her an opportunity to search for another position within the company is an adverse employment action. In other words, if it is done for a discriminatory reason, doing so can violate the New…
Employer Too Late to Compel Arbitration in Whistleblower Lawsuit
In a recent employment law case, New Jersey’s Appellate Division ruled that an employer had waived its right to compel arbitration by waiting 10 months before it sought to do so. Tevin Welcome worked as a van driver for Huffmaster, Inc. Before Huffmaster hired him, Mr. Welcome completed an online…
Employers Can be Liable for Employment Decision Tainted by Subordinate’s Discrimination
The New Jersey Supreme Court recently recognized that an employer can be held liable for discrimination in violation of the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (“LAD”) based on an employment decision that was influenced by a subordinate’s discriminatory animus, whether or not the subordinate intended to get the employee fired.…
Court Must Reconsider Whether Sexual Harassment Victim Agreed to Arbitration
A recent decision by New Jersey’s Appellate Division makes it clear that a court must have clear proof an employee agreed to arbitration before an employer can force an employee to arbitrate her case. Nikki Cordero applied for a job with Fitness International, LLC, also known as LA Fitness International. …