Adherence to federal and New Jersey disability discrimination laws is a legal obligation for employers in Egg Harbor Township. These laws protect individuals with physical, mental, or developmental disabilities from unequal treatment in the workplace.
Federal Disability Protections Under the ADA
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to private employers with 15 or more employees. It prohibits workplace discrimination against individuals who:
- Have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits major life activities
- Have a documented history of such an impairment
- Are perceived by others as having a qualifying impairment
Discrimination is also prohibited when it targets someone because of their association with a person who has a disability—such as a family member or partner.
Reasonable Accommodations and Employer Responsibilities
Employers must provide reasonable accommodations that allow qualified employees with disabilities to perform their job duties—unless those accommodations would impose an undue hardship. This standard considers:
- The employer’s total resources
- The number of employees
- The nature of the business operations
Common accommodations may include modified work schedules, accessible workspaces, adaptive equipment, or job restructuring. Failing to engage in a meaningful interactive process to explore such accommodations is a violation of the law.
New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination (LAD)
In addition to federal protections, the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD) offers broader coverage. Unlike the ADA, it applies to almost all employers, regardless of size. LAD prohibits not only hiring and firing discrimination, but also harassment, retaliation, and denial of accommodations.
Employers in Egg Harbor Township who fail to comply with these standards may face legal claims, penalties, and damages. Employees do not need to file with a federal agency before taking legal action under the LAD.
New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD)
The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (N.J.S.A. 10:5-1 et seq.) provides strong protections for workers in Egg Harbor Township. Unlike federal law, it applies to all employers, regardless of size, and covers a wide range of disabilities—whether they result from illness, injury, mental health conditions, or are present from birth.
Under the LAD, employers in Egg Harbor Township are prohibited from:
- Denying employment, promotions, or assignments based on current, past, or perceived disabilities
- Retaliating against employees for requesting a reasonable accommodation
- Factoring in potential or future health conditions when making hiring or job-related decisions
- Allowing harassment by supervisors, coworkers, or third parties related to an employee’s disability status
- Using the fact that an employee requested an accommodation to influence layoffs, demotions, or other employment actions
The law requires employers to assess each situation individually and provide accommodations unless doing so would create an undue hardship. Blanket policies or assumptions about what an employee can or cannot do based on a diagnosis violate state law.
Workers in Egg Harbor Township who experience violations of the LAD have the right to file a claim directly in state court without first going through a federal agency.
Legal Help for Disability Discrimination in Egg Harbor Township
If your employer in Egg Harbor Township has discriminated against you due to a disability—whether current, past, or perceived—you may have grounds to take legal action under state and federal law.
NJ Employment Lawyers, LLC represents employees facing:
- Wrongful termination tied to disability status
- Denial of reasonable accommodations
- Harassment or a hostile work environment related to a physical or mental condition
- Retaliation after requesting medical accommodations or asserting legal rights
Their attorneys handle every stage of the process—from documenting violations and filing administrative complaints to negotiating settlements and pursuing lawsuits when needed.
Whether your employer ignored medical documentation, failed to engage in the interactive process, or penalized you for using protected leave, you have the right to challenge that conduct.
Contact NJ Employment Lawyers, LLC to speak with a disability discrimination attorney familiar with the laws that protect workers in Egg Harbor Township.