National Survey Calls New Jersey One of the Best States for Worker Rights
Oct 23, 2018
Pennsauken, NJ (Law Firm Newswire) October 23, 2018 – A new nationwide study from U.S. News & World Report reveals states along the West Coast and in the Northeast, including New Jersey, are ones that tend to have laws that favor workers.
The analysis comes at a time when employers’ power continues to increase, as recent Supreme Court rulings have favored corporations and salaries have barely budged – even with low unemployment.
When federal regulations of workers’ rights have loosened, it is up to the states to create and enforce laws to protect employees. New Jersey, the report says, has passed almost a “full slate” of such laws, which makes it one of the friendliest places for workers.
The study built an interactive map that awarded each state, plus Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, points when the following labor conditions were met: mandating paid sick leave, mandating paid family leave, mandating fair-chance hiring, allowing union-security agreements, banning hiring based on salary history and banning discrimination based on sexual orientation. One point was given when the state met the labor conditions for most workers and 0.5 point when the conditions were met just for government workers. In addition, each state got one point if its minimum wage was equal or more than the median minimum wage of $8.25.
New Jersey’s minimum wage is $8.60, higher than the federal minimum wage of $7.25. The state also requires paid sick leave, paid family leave and fair-chance hiring. Union-security agreements are allowed, and New Jersey bans hiring based on salary history for state employees only and discrimination based on sexual orientation for all workers.
South Jersey workers’ compensation attorneys, Petrillo & Goldberg say, “New Jersey laws, while friendly to workers, are only beneficial if they are followed. We make sure employees’ right are always protected.”
Petrillo & Goldberg Law
6951 North Park Drive
Pennsauken, NJ 08109
19 South 21st Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
70 South Broad Street
Woodbury, NJ 08096
Phone: 856-486-4343
Fax: 856:486-7979
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