NJ Law: Equal Pay Legislation, eff. 7/1/2018

New Jersey is the latest state to mandate a comprehensive equal pay law, named the Diane B. Allen Equal Pay Act.  New Jersey’s law is more robust than other states as New Jersey’s equal pay law will soon extend legal protections beyond gender and provide relief to all classes of employees protected under the state’s anti-discrimination law.  NJ’s existing wage and hour law already prohibits an employer from discriminating on wages to an employee because of his or her sex.  The new law, effective July 1, 2018 expands this protection and amends the New Jersey Law against wage discrimination on the basis of any protected class an unlawful employment practice.  Please be careful to review your current practices to ensure compliance.

Your Employment Practices Liability insurance policy may provide some protection for violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act, although a standard policy must be endorsed.  We can help you understand your existing coverage and provide recommendations.