Employment Lawyers in New Jersey
Discrimination is as emotionally frustrating as it is financially damaging. It’s also illegal, unfair, and wrong. Victims of workplace discrimination in New Jersey deserve to have their rights respected and protected. It’s our job to make sure they are.
At DeZao & DeZao, P.C., we take employment discrimination and other workplace violations very seriously. A healthy society depends on people who are willing to stand up against prejudice and injustice, and we’ve dedicated ourselves to fighting for the rights of workers throughout The Garden State.
Discrimination can happen at any point during the employment process, including applications, interviews, promotions, hiring, and firing. It might also happen after years of otherwise problem-free job performance, perhaps because a new supervisor was hired or a new policy was put in place.
Recognizing an employment violation isn’t always easy. Illegal discrimination can be overt and obvious, but it can also be subtle. Employers may even be liable for the discriminatory conduct of a worker’s colleagues or supervisors.
A New Jersey employment law attorney at our firm can help you understand your rights on the job and whether you might have a case.
The law in this area can be complicated because it involves numerous federal rules and regulations, but we’re here to guide you through it. We’ll use our years of experience to fight for your rights and recover the compensation you deserve.
Understanding At-Will Employment
As in most states, employment in New Jersey is presumed to be “at-will.” This means that, unless you have a contract specifically stating otherwise, both you and your employer are free to terminate your employment at any time and for any reason — so long as that reason does not violate state or federal employment law.
So your boss can fire you because they don’t like your attitude, personality, or behavior. But he or she can’t fire you because you belong to a particular race, religion, or other protected class.
Often, that’s a fine line. Your employer might fire you for one reason but claim it was for another. That’s called “pretext for discrimination,” and it isn’t allowed. A New Jersey employment attorney can help you demonstrate the difference and expose discrimination for what it is.
If you suspect that your employer was motivated by discrimination or has otherwise violated the law, you should never assume you don’t have a case until you talk with a New Jersey employment attorney (even if your employment is “at-will”).
What Is Protected Under New Jersey Employment Law?
Most employee protections come from federal statutes or the U.S. Constitution. Under federal law, most employers are prohibited from considering any of the following when making decisions about hiring, firing, job assignments, wages, and promotions:
- Race
- Religion
- National origin
- Sex
- Age
- Disability.
Additionally, New Jersey employment law offers protection against discrimination based on:
- Marital status
- Domestic partnership or civil union status
- Sexual orientation
- Gender identity or expression
- AIDS or HIV-related illnesses.
Employers in New Jersey aren’t even allowed to ask you questions like “Are you married?” or “Are you gay?” during the interview process. (It’s illegal to ask about national origin, too, but note that employers can ask whether you are able to prove that you are eligible to work in the United States.)
Contact a New Jersey Employment Attorney for Help or Advice
No one deserves discrimination. At DeZao & DeZao, P.C., we expect employers to behave fairly and in compliance with the law. When they don’t, we are prepared to hold them accountable. Often, that means recovering financial compensation on your behalf.
If you’ve fallen victim to workplace discrimination, an experienced New Jersey employment attorney can help. But remember that a statute of limitations (“time limit”) may apply, so the sooner you act, the better.
To get started today, call (973) 358-6134 or contact us online. Our firm proudly serves Parsippany, Troy Hills, Morris County, Essex County, and the entire state of New Jersey. We are here for you.
Additional Employment Protections
If you take action against your employer for discrimination or for other violations of the law, it is illegal for that employer to retaliate against you. Too many people fail to stand up for their rights because they fear they’ll make the situation worse, or that their boss might give them a bad reference in the future. But with a New Jersey employment attorney’s help, you can prevent that from happening.
Employers are also required to act in accordance with their own established policies and procedures. For example, if an employee handbook says that you are entitled to a certain number of warnings prior to termination, the employer may be liable for making an exception in your case.
New Jersey employment law also provides protection for the following:
- Victims of sexual harassment
- Workers subjected to a hostile or discriminatory working environment
- Whistleblowers (people who report illegal activity by their employers)
- Employees taking leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
- Workers who are asked to violate the law and refuse.
This isn’t a complete list, so you should contact our law firm if you believe your rights might have been violated.
Client Testimonials
Read What Clients Have to Say About Our Firm
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"I will return in the future if I ever need legal assistance again!"Office overall were nice, but the best is Veronica. She’s amazing, dedicated, knowledgeable—she absolutely cares about her clients. Every time I had a question, she would answer or return all my calls right away. Very efficient and helpful from start to finish of my case. She’s great; I highly recommend her. I will return in the future if I ever need legal assistance again. Thank you very much.Frescia D.
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"Guided me through the legal processes necessary to my case with clear and open communication!"Guided me through the legal processes necessary to my case with clear and open communication. My confidence never wavered with DeZao & DeZao.Brandon W.
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"I can’t express how grateful we are to have had them by our side the entire time!"DeZao Law and their Associates helped my wife and I through a difficult time recently. From the very first call we made to them , right through to the very last detail of our case , they were responsive , helpful , thoughtful , extremely professional and always pleasant. They were available at all times and reached out to us often to check in and see how we were doing throughout the entire process. I can’t express how grateful we are to have had them by our side the entire time. They came through exactly as they had promised at the very beginning. We Absolutely recommend them to anyone who is in a situation where you’re not sure if you need representation or not. Give them a call. You will not regret it. Stellar review all around.Sean T.
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"My experience with DeZao Law Firm was spectacularly positive!"My experience with DeZao Law Firm was spectacularly positive. I worked directly with Anthony DeZao, as well as with Megan McRoy. They both kept in touch with me every step of the way to let me know how the case was progressing. I trusted them with every decision that they made, and would recommend them without reservation for any additional legal help or guidance that I might need in the future.Barbara G.
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"I would be more than happy to recommend them!"I was referred to this firm by my husband and I could not be more thankful that he sent me to this office because the service was perfect. Valentina guided me throughout. I had a car accident and it was a very stressful time in my life. Valentina kept me calm and at ease during all this, and everyone else are very professional too. They were very compassionate and I could tell that they genuinely and truly wanted to help me and fight for me. I recommend them, actually I would be more than happy to recommend them. I know my family will recommend this office as well. They also helped out my husband’s son with his car accident and did a fantastic job for him too! Thanks for everything!Carmen D.
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"They went out of their way to keep me informed"I would like to take this opportunity to thank The Law Offices of DeZao & DeZao for helping me with my legal needs. Especially attorney Margaret Meade and Valentina Failla, Paralegal/Case Manager. They were both instrumental in getting my matter resolved. They went out of their way to keep me informed and on top of al my legal needs. They both truly made this a wonderful experience.Jerry D.
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"I can't say enough about this Office!"I can't say enough about this office. It is absolutely amazing. They were quick, efficient and took care of all of my needs, and explained every detail as I went through this process. Yessica was absolutely amazing! She was professional and helpful. I'm so glad I chose this office!Crystal P.
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"This firm made me feel at ease"I had a motor vehicle accident and this firm has been so patient with me throughout the 3 years of my case. Valentina and Rachel have really been a lot of help. They talked me through everything and helped me understand what was going on. I've had accidents before but nothing like this. My car was totaled. It was scary and DeZao & DeZao made made me feel at ease. They always got back to me. I am very satisfied with the outcome of my case and the services this office gave me. Also I LOVE their pens!Carol R.
Successful Results
Millions Recovered in Verdicts & Settlements
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$2,000,000 Work Accident Case
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$3,100,000 Motor vehicle Accident
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$3,000,000 Bus Accident
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$8,000,000 Motor Vehicle Accident
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$2,000,000 Bus Accident
The Right Attorneys. Right Now.
What Sets Us Apart?
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A Multi-Generational Legacy of Success
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Hundreds of Millions Recovered For Our Clients
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Personalized Attention & Curated Legal Plans
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Committed & Passionate Advocacy
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Always Available & Accessible To Our Clients
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Capable of Handling a Wide Variety of Case Types