As we previously posted here, the New Jersey Assembly introduced a bill in May of 2013 that would require employers to provide paid sick leave to their employees. That bill was referred to the Assembly Labor Committee, but never advanced. On February 6, 2014, the Assembly reintroduced a proposed version of the bill. Under the proposed bill, employees would accrue one hour of paid leave for every 30 hours worked, up to 40 hours for businesses with less than ten employees, or up to 72 hours for businesses with ten or more employees.
On October 27, 2014, the New Jersey Assembly Labor Committee
amended and advanced the revised bill, referring it to the Assembly
Budget Committee. The proposed State legislation follows the
passing of paid sick leave laws in six different New Jersey cities.
Those cities include: Jersey City (enacted in October 2013), Newark
(enacted in January 2014), Passaic (passed in September 2014), East
Orange (passed in September 2014), Paterson (passed in September
2014), and Irvington (passed in September 2014). Voters in
Montclair and Trenton have also joined this trend, and approved
paid sick leave ordinances on November 4, 2014.
It remains to be seen whether the momentum generated by these
cities' paid sick leave laws will propel forward New
Jersey's proposed state-wide legislation. However, New Jersey
employers should be aware of these new and proposed requirements.
Check back here for updates on the progress of the New Jersey state
bill through the legislature, and for updates on existing or
proposed municipal ordinances.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
