If your employer is interfering with your right to take family leave or has retaliated against you for exercising that right, NJ Employment Lawyers, LLC is prepared to take legal action on your behalf.
We represent employees in Atlantic City and throughout New Jersey who have been denied protected leave under the New Jersey Family Leave Act (NJFLA) or punished for requesting it. You’ll speak directly with an employment attorney who will assess your situation, explain your legal rights, and help you pursue the remedies available under state law.
Understanding Your Rights Under the NJFLA
The NJFLA gives eligible employees the right to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave every 24 months to care for a seriously ill family member or bond with a newborn or adopted child.
To qualify, you must:
- Have worked at least 12 months for your current employer
- Have logged a minimum of 1,000 hours in the past 12 months
- Work for an employer with at least 50 employees within a 75-mile radius
Employer Obligations Include:
- Maintaining your group health insurance during the leave period
- Returning you to the same or an equivalent position after your leave ends
- Accepting advance notice (30 days for birth/adoption, 15 days for family care), or shorter notice in emergencies
While employers may request limited medical documentation, they are prohibited from retaliating against you for requesting or taking NJFLA leave. This includes firing, demotion, loss of benefits, or any adverse action linked to your leave request.
Enforce Your Rights with Legal Support
If your employer in Atlantic City violated your rights under the NJFLA, we can help you seek reinstatement, recover lost wages and benefits, or file a legal claim for damages. NJ Employment Lawyers, LLC focuses exclusively on employment law and has a strong track record of holding employers accountable across New Jersey.
Qualifying Reasons for Family Leave Under the NJFLA
The New Jersey Family Leave Act (NJFLA) allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of job-protected leave every 24 months for specific family-related reasons. This leave is not for your own medical condition—it’s strictly for family-related needs. Common qualifying reasons include:
- Bonding with a newborn, adopted child, or foster child within the first 12 months of birth or placement
- Providing care for a family member with a serious health condition
“Family member” is defined broadly and includes:
- Spouse or domestic partner
- Child, parent, or parent-in-law
- Sibling, grandparent, or grandchild
- Blood relatives or others with a close, family-like relationship
The NJFLA also covers leave during certain public health emergencies, including:
- Caring for a child when school or childcare is closed due to a public health threat
- Assisting a family member during an epidemic, especially when care is unavailable
Important Note: NJFLA does not cover leave for your own illness. That’s handled under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). In many cases, employees may be eligible to take both NJFLA and FMLA consecutively—not at the same time.
Common Employer Violations of the NJFLA
Employees in Atlantic City often face unlawful pushback when requesting NJFLA leave. Employers may:
- Deny bonding time to new fathers
- Retaliate against employees after they return from leave, often through demotion or reassignment
- Penalize workers in evaluations or disciplinary decisions for taking leave
- Misapply NJFLA and FMLA by running the leaves concurrently, reducing the total time an employee may be entitled to
These actions can violate New Jersey law. If your employer in Atlantic City denied your leave request, shortened your time off, or treated you unfairly afterward, you may have a legal claim.
Legal Help for NJFLA Violations in Atlantic City
NJ Employment Lawyers, LLC represents employees in Atlantic City and across New Jersey who have had their rights violated under the NJFLA. Our attorneys will evaluate your situation, explain how state and federal leave laws apply, and pursue legal action if your employer failed to comply.
How NJ Employment Lawyers, LLC Can Help
If your employer took negative action after you used or requested protected family leave—such as termination, demotion, reduced hours, or reassignment—you may have a legal claim under the New Jersey Family Leave Act (NJFLA).
Our attorneys represent workers in Atlantic City and across New Jersey in NJFLA retaliation cases. We pursue full legal remedies, which may include:
- Back pay for wages, bonuses, and benefits lost due to employer retaliation
- Front pay when returning to your previous job is no longer feasible
- Compensation for emotional distress, especially in cases involving wrongful termination
- Punitive damages if the employer’s conduct was malicious or especially reckless
- Attorney fees and court costs, which are recoverable under the NJFLA
Employers who violate the NJFLA can face serious legal and financial consequences. Legal action not only helps recover your losses—it reinforces your rights and deters similar conduct toward others.
Consult With an NJFLA Attorney Representing Workers in Atlantic City
If you work or reside in Atlantic City and believe your NJFLA rights were violated, NJ Employment Lawyers, LLC can evaluate your case. You’ll speak directly with an employment attorney who will review the facts and explain what legal steps are available to protect your job and hold your employer accountable.