New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination

Have you been discriminated against in the workplace?

New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination (“NJLAD”) prohibits discrimination based on an individual’s race, creed, color, national origin, nationality, ancestry, age, sex (including pregnancy), familial status, marital/civil union status, religion, domestic partnership status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, genetic information, military service, and mental or physical disability (including perceived disability, and AIDS and HIV status). NJLAD applies to employers with one or more employees.

A potential claim under NJLAD arises where there have been actual instances of discrimination, not just a feeling that you have been discriminated against. One of the most common types of NJLAD claims is based on a “hostile work environment.” For this type of claim, you must prove that the conduct was severe or pervasive enough to make a reasonable person in the same legally protected class (i.e. race) believe that the conditions of employment were altered, and that the working environment was intimidating, hostile or abusive. Usually a single incident is not severe. However, an accumulation of incidents can be severe or pervasive. You do not have to be directly targeted; the harassment can be perceived based on how other employees are treated.

Try and prepare a chronology of instances where you believe that you have been discriminated against. If you cannot put together a chronology of instances, this may be an indication that you do not have strong facts to support your claim.

If you think that you have been discriminated against in your workplace environment, contact the Law Office of H. Benjamin Sharlin LLC for an initial free consultation regarding your potential employment law claim.

The Law Office of H. Benjamin Sharlin LLC is owned and operated by H. Benjamin Sharlin and serves all of Mercer County, New Jersey and the surrounding areas. Mr. Sharlin is a bilingual Spanish-speaking attorney who vigorously represents the interests of all his clients.

Please be advised that this blog is for informational purposes only, is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship.