In December 2019, Gov. Murphy signed into law the new Crown Act (Create a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair Act) which includes discrimination based upon "traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture, hair type,...
Employment Law
The Effect of Legalizing Marijuana on the workplace.
As the New Jersey legislature proceeds through its "lame duck" session in the last days of 2019, it is possible that the Assembly and Senate may revisit the bill legalizing recreational marijuana usage and vote to adopt same. While the legislation will decriminalize...
COMPLIANCE TIPS: Employee Classification
In May 2018, NJ Gov. Phil Murphy established a Task Force on Employee Misclassification focused on ensuring that employees are properly classified as W-2 wage earners rather than 1099 independent contractors. The Task Force enforces the ABC test set forth in Hargrove...
Employees on Social Media
Protecting your Company's Brand You have spent thousands hiring a branding company to launch a new marketing initiative to accelerate your growth. As entrepreneurs, we often forget that corporate change is hard and that any new initiative needs top-to-bottom buy-in....
Employee Handbook Saves the Day!
The Third Circuit Court of Appeals recently dismissed an employee's claim for disability discrimination and retaliation where the employer was able to show a well documented progressive discipline process. Simons v. Bos. Sci., 765 F. App'x 773 (3d. Cir. 2019) Click...
Workplace Bullies
The EEOC defines harassment as "unwelcome conduct that is based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information." To be actionable at law, the harassment needs to be aimed at these protected...
Handling an Employee Complaint
As an employer and an entrepreneur, the highest and best use of your time is spent in working in your business. The most frustrating part of your job as a manager is likely to be the moment when you receive the charge from the NJ Division of Civil Rights (DCR) or EEOC...
How companies can protect themselves against retaliation claims
If you run a business in New Jersey or any other state, it is important that you don't retaliate against employees. However, you shouldn't shy away from disciplining employees simply because they have recently engaged in a protected activity. In most cases, the facts...
Behind the Scenes: How Small Firms Deliver Results with Impact
It's no secret that small firms and solo practitioners can deliver big results. Ask almost any independent lawyer (or any entrepreneur, for that matter) after a few years in business what has made them successful and the responses are often surprising. Of course, it...
Ayesha Hamilton – Celebrating 15 Years Serving Clients
As the Hamilton Law Firm celebrates 15 years, we can't help but look back on the reasons the firm was founded and all we hoped to accomplish. From day one, Ayesha Hamilton, Esq. has worked to provide the highest level of service to her clients, both employees and...
Business partnerships on shaky ground
The idea of having a partner in your business venture may have developed as you explored your options and developed your business plan. On the other hand, it is possible that the original idea for your venture included a partner, and together you built your business...
Crown Act Signed into Law in December 2019 Will Change Employee Policies and Enforcement
In December 2019, Gov. Murphy signed into law the new Crown Act (Create a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair Act) which includes discrimination based upon "traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture, hair type,...
Business Best Practices for 2020
As you look forward to the year ahead, you should be taking the time to evaluate your existing systems and processes. This is particularly important if you have not updated your HR policies within the last year and are not keeping up with the changes in NJ law as they...
The Effect of Legalizing Marijuana on the workplace.
As the New Jersey legislature proceeds through its "lame duck" session in the last days of 2019, it is possible that the Assembly and Senate may revisit the bill legalizing recreational marijuana usage and vote to adopt same. While the legislation will decriminalize...
SB 4204: Changing the Way Independent Contractors Can Work In New Jersey.
Making it harder to use or be an independent contractor in New Jersey. Senate Bill 4204, that changes the standard for how New Jersey will classify independent contractors, is barreling towards the finish line. This Bill, sponsored by Senator Sweeney, moves the...
COMPLIANCE TIPS: Employee Classification
In May 2018, NJ Gov. Phil Murphy established a Task Force on Employee Misclassification focused on ensuring that employees are properly classified as W-2 wage earners rather than 1099 independent contractors. The Task Force enforces the ABC test set forth in Hargrove...
Proactive steps that minimize harassment claims in the office
Employers have to think about many things just to keep their business running. Everything from dealing with employees to marketing plans may be part of your responsibilities as an employer, and this means you may not have much room to think about preventing certain...
2020 Solo Small Firm Conference-NJSBA
