Employers in Galloway Township must comply with federal and New Jersey disability discrimination laws, which prohibit unfair treatment of qualified employees and job applicants with disabilities.
Protections Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The ADA applies to private employers with 15 or more employees. It bars discrimination against individuals who:
- Have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities
- Have a history or record of such an impairment
- Are perceived by others as having such an impairment
Discrimination is also unlawful if it’s based on an employee’s association with someone who has a disability—such as a spouse, child, or dependent.
New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD)
The LAD covers nearly all employers in New Jersey, regardless of size, and provides broader protections than federal law. Employers are required to offer reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities unless doing so would impose an undue hardship. These accommodations can include:
- Adjusted work schedules
- Modified job duties
- Accessible workspaces
- Assistive technology
Failing to provide accommodations or ignoring employee requests may violate the LAD. Employers must engage in a cooperative dialogue—known as the interactive process—to determine appropriate adjustments.
Employer Responsibilities in Galloway Township
Businesses must evaluate accommodation requests based on their resources, workforce size, and operational structure. Accommodations must be made if they allow an employee to perform essential job functions without causing significant difficulty or expense.
Workers in Galloway Township who have been denied reasonable accommodations or faced adverse employment actions due to a disability—or because of their relationship to a disabled person—may have legal claims under both the ADA and the LAD. Legal remedies can include reinstatement, back pay, compensation for emotional distress, and policy changes.
New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD)
The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (N.J.S.A. 10:5-1 et seq.) applies to all employers in Galloway Township, regardless of size. It prohibits discrimination against employees or job applicants based on a wide range of physical, mental, developmental, or perceived disabilities—whether temporary or permanent.
Employers are legally prohibited from:
- Refusing to hire, promote, or assign tasks because of a disability
- Demoting, terminating, or laying off employees due to actual or anticipated medical conditions
- Harassing workers based on disability status, including creating or tolerating a hostile work environment
- Retaliating against individuals who request reasonable accommodations
- Denying accommodations without considering whether they would impose an undue hardship
Employers must assess accommodation requests individually and engage in an interactive process with the employee. A blanket refusal or reliance on stereotypes about medical conditions violates the law.
Unlike federal law, the LAD allows employees in Galloway Township to file a lawsuit directly in New Jersey state court. No prior complaint to a federal agency is required. Successful claims may result in compensation for back pay, emotional distress, reinstatement, punitive damages, and attorneys’ fees.
Legal Help for Disability Discrimination in Galloway Township
Workers in Galloway Township who experience discrimination due to a current, prior, or perceived disability can file a claim directly in New Jersey state court under the Law Against Discrimination (LAD). No federal agency filing is required.
NJ Employment Lawyers, LLC represents employees facing:
- Termination, demotion, or job reassignment linked to a disability
- Denied, delayed, or ignored requests for reasonable accommodations
- Harassment or a hostile work environment based on disability
- Retaliation after requesting accommodations or medical leave
The firm helps clients build strong claims by gathering medical documentation, communications, and employer records. They handle every phase of the case, from filing complaints to litigation or settlement. If your employer failed to participate in the interactive process, disregarded your medical needs, or penalized you for asserting your rights, legal action may be available.
Contact NJ Employment Lawyers, LLC to speak with a disability discrimination attorney experienced in enforcing the rights of workers in Galloway Township.