Employment Law Agencies

There are many state and federal agencies that handle employment law claims in New Jersey and New York. Most of these agencies investigate claims, attempt to help the parties resolve their disputes, and make determinations or rulings when the parties cannot reach an amicable resolution.

Although you can file a claim with any of these agencies without an attorney, it usually is a good idea to consult with an experienced employment lawyer first. In some situations, you may be better off hiring a lawyer to help you navigate through the agency. In other circumstances, you may be better off hiring an attorney to help you negotiate a severance package without filing a legal claim, or to represent you in litigation, arbitration or mediation. If you would like to speak to an employment lawyer, please contact us online or call us at (201) 777-2250.

Below is a list of some of the key employment law agencies and the key claims they cover. While we did not list it each time, most (if not all) of these agencies also handle related retaliation claims.

• Title VII: Discrimination and harassment based on sex, race, color, national origin and religion.
• American’s with Disabilities Act ("ADA"): Disability discrimination and harassment
• Age Discrimination in Employment Act ("ADEA"): Age discrimination and harassment

• Family & Medical Leave Act ("FMLA"): Time off for pregnancy or adoption, to care for a new child, your own serious health condition or an immediate family member’s serious health condition, or for qualified reasons relating to a family member in the military
• Fair Labor Standards Act ("FLSA"): Wage and hour claims (overtime and minimum wage)

• Occupational Health & Safety Act ("OSHA"): Workplace health and safety

• New Jersey Law Against Discrimination ("LAD"): Discrimination and harassment because of race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital status, domestic partnership/civil union status, sex/gender, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability, military service, sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait, or genetic information
• New Jersey Family Leave Act ("NJFLA"): Time off to care for a new child, or an immediate family member’s serious health condition

• Unemployment Compensation Law: Unemployment insurance benefits
• New Jersey Wage and Hour Law: Overtime and minimum wage
• New Jersey Temporary Disability Benefits Law: Short term disability insurance ("SDI") benefits
• New Jersey Paid Family Leave Law: Payments during covered family leaves

• New York Human Rights Act: Discrimination because of age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, military status, sex, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, marital status, or status as a victim of domestic violence

• New York State Minimum Wage Act: Minimum wage and overtime pay
• New York Unemployment Insurance Law: Unemployment insurance benefits
• New York State Disability Benefits Law: Short term disability insurance benefits

• New York City Human Rights Law ("NYCHRL"): Discrimination and harassment based on race, creed, color, age, national origin, alienage, citizenship, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, marital status, partnership status, arrest or conviction record, status as a victim of domestic violence, stalking or sex offenses, and unemployment status