Adhering to federal and New Jersey disability discrimination laws is mandatory for employers in Atlantic City. These laws protect workers with physical, mental, or developmental disabilities from unlawful treatment in hiring, promotions, job assignments, and termination.
Disability Protections Under Federal Law
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to private employers with 15 or more employees. It prohibits discrimination against individuals who:
- Have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities
- Have a documented record of such an impairment
- Are regarded as having a qualifying impairment by others
Employers also cannot discriminate against someone because they are associated with a person who has a disability—such as a family member, partner, or dependent.
New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD)
The LAD provides broader coverage than federal law. Unlike the ADA, it applies to nearly all employers, regardless of size. The LAD also requires reasonable accommodations unless they cause an undue hardship to the business. Examples include modified work schedules, changes to job duties, accessible workspaces, and assistive technology.
Workers in Atlantic City who have experienced discrimination because of a disability—or because of their relationship to someone with a disability—may be entitled to compensation and legal remedies under both state and federal law.
Employers in Atlantic City are legally required to provide reasonable accommodations that enable qualified employees with disabilities to perform essential job functions. Accommodations must be offered unless they would create an undue hardship based on factors such as:
- The overall financial and administrative resources of the employer
- The number of employees
- The type and structure of business operations
Examples of reasonable accommodations include modified work hours, ergonomic equipment, job restructuring, and accessible facilities. Employers must also engage in an interactive process with the employee to determine what accommodations are appropriate. Refusing to participate in this process or ignoring requests can lead to legal consequences.
New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD)
The LAD extends beyond federal protections. It applies to nearly all employers in New Jersey, regardless of size, and prohibits:
- Refusal to hire or promote based on disability
- Termination or demotion due to a medical condition
- Harassment or a hostile work environment
- Retaliation for requesting accommodations
- Denial of reasonable accommodations
Unlike federal law, employees do not need to file a claim with a federal agency before taking legal action under the LAD. Workers in Atlantic City can file directly in state court and may be entitled to damages, back pay, reinstatement, and legal fees.
The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (N.J.S.A. 10:5-1 et seq.) offers broad protections to workers in Atlantic City. It applies to all employers, regardless of size, and covers a wide range of physical, mental, and developmental disabilities—whether temporary, permanent, or perceived.
Under the LAD, employers in Atlantic City are prohibited from:
- Refusing to hire, promote, or assign work based on a disability
- Retaliating against employees who request reasonable accommodations
- Considering future or potential medical conditions when making employment decisions
- Permitting harassment by supervisors, coworkers, or third parties based on disability
- Using accommodation requests as a factor in demotions, layoffs, or other actions
Employers must evaluate each request on a case-by-case basis and provide accommodations unless doing so would create an undue hardship. Broad policies or assumptions about an employee’s abilities based on a diagnosis are unlawful.
Legal Help for Disability Discrimination in Atlantic City
Employees in Atlantic City who face discrimination because of a current, past, or perceived disability can file a legal claim directly in New Jersey state court. No federal agency filing is required under the LAD.
NJ Employment Lawyers, LLC represents workers who experience:
- Termination or job loss tied to a disability
- Denied or delayed accommodations
- Disability-related harassment or a hostile work environment
- Retaliation for asserting legal rights or requesting medical adjustments
The firm assists clients at every stage—from gathering evidence and filing complaints to negotiating settlements or pursuing lawsuits. Whether your employer disregarded medical documentation, avoided the interactive process, or took adverse action after a leave request, you have the right to hold them accountable.
Contact NJ Employment Lawyers, LLC to speak with a disability discrimination attorney familiar with the rights of employees in Atlantic City.