Category: Public Employment Law

Recent Decision Offers Lessons on Disability Accommodation Under NJLAD

Recent Decision Offers Lessons on Disability Accommodation Under NJLAD

Disability discrimination suits pursuant to the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination and the Americans With Disabilities Act are increasingly common. A recent decision by a New Jersey district judge highlights when employers are obligated to make reasonable accommodations. The Facts of the Case In Fronczkiewicz v. Magellan Health Services, Inc.,

NJ Court Finds Township of Edison Wrongfully Denied Police Promotions

In two related cases, the New Jersey Superior Court’s Appellate Division recently concluded that several “lame duck” police promotions made by the former mayor of the Township of Edison were arbitrary and capricious, requiring the promotions to be set aside. The Facts of the Case The cases both resulted from

NJ Lawmakers Seek to Cap Sick Leave Payments to Municipal Retirees

NJ Lawmakers Seek to Cap Sick Leave Payments to Municipal Retirees

Senate President Stephen Sweeney, D-Gloucester, and Sen. Joseph Kyrillos, R-Monmouth, recently introduced legislation that would cap sick leave payouts for retiring municipal employees at $15,000. S-2318 would apply to sick leave accrued after the effective date of the legislation and not time that has already been banked. Existing laws impose

public employees

U.S. Supreme Court Addresses First Amendment Rights of Public Employees

New Jersey municipalities should be aware of an important U.S. Supreme Court decision addressing the expanded free speech rights of public employees. In Lane v. Franks, a unanimous Court held that the First Amendment protected a public employee when he testified truthfully about fraud in the work place pursuant to

NJ Court Expands OPRA Access to Settlements Involving Public Entities

Third Circuit Wage and Hour Decision Impacts New Jersey Municipalities

The Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit recently issued a precedential wage and hour decision that will impact how New Jersey municipalities pay their police and fire personnel. In Rosano v. Township of Teaneck, the court held that the municipality properly applied the Sec. 207(k) partial overtime exemption under

Latest EEOC Guidance on Religious Discrimination Addresses Public Employees

Many employment discrimination laws that apply to private employers also apply to New Jersey municipalities. Most notably, the definition of “employer” under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 includes state and local governments. As municipalities should be aware, Title VII prohibits employers with at least 15 employees

City of East Orange Facing Class Acton Lawsuit Over Unpaid Overtime Wages

City of East Orange Facing Class Acton Lawsuit Over Unpaid Overtime Wages

A New Jersey federal judge recently certified a class action lawsuit against the City of East Orange. The plaintiffs in the case are law enforcement officers who allege that the city failed to compensate them for overtime wages in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Under the FLSA,

NJ Appeals Court Holds School District Not Liable for Abuse

NJ Court Addresses “Temporary” Employee Exception to the Tenure Act

The Appellate Division of the New Jersey Superior Court recently considered the application of the “temporary” employee exception to the New Jersey Tenure Act. The decision in Platia v. Board of Education of the Township of Hamilton, Mercer County provides greater clarity with regard to how the exception applies to