Practice Areas
Wage & Hour
Violations
New Jersey's wage and hour laws protect your right to fair pay, overtime compensation, and proper meal breaks. If your employer has violated these rights, you deserve full compensation for unpaid wages.
Overtime Pay
Time-and-a-half for hours over 40 per week for most employees
Statute
6 years to file wage claims under New Jersey law
Fee
No fee unless we win — zero financial risk to you
Damages
Unpaid wages, overtime, liquidated damages, attorney fees
New Jersey's Wage and Hour Law provides strong protections for workers, including generous overtime requirements and a six-year statute of limitations that gives employees significant time to recover unpaid wages.
New Jersey's wage and hour protections are governed by the New Jersey Wage and Hour Law (N.J.S.A. 34:11-56a et seq.) and the New Jersey State Wage and Hour Law (N.J.S.A. 34:11-56a4.1 et seq.). These laws require employers to pay minimum wage, provide overtime compensation at time-and-a-half for hours worked over 40 in a workweek, and ensure proper payment of wages. New Jersey also has specific requirements for meal periods, final paychecks, and wage deductions that often exceed federal protections.
Compensation in wage and hour cases typically includes all unpaid wages, unpaid overtime at the proper rate, liquidated damages (which can double your recovery), pre-judgment interest, and attorney's fees. New Jersey law allows for recovery of wages going back six years, significantly longer than the federal two-year limit. In cases involving willful violations, courts may award additional penalties and damages to deter future violations by the employer.
The most common obstacles in wage and hour cases include employers claiming workers are exempt from overtime, misclassifying employees as independent contractors, or arguing that overtime work was not authorized. Many employers also fail to keep proper time records, which can actually work in the employee's favor under New Jersey law. It's important to act quickly to preserve evidence like pay stubs, time records, and communications about work schedules, as these documents are crucial to proving your case.
The Law
What you
need to know
01
Unpaid Overtime
Working more than 40 hours per week without receiving time-and-a-half pay. This is one of the most common wage violations in New Jersey workplaces.
02
Off-the-Clock Work
Being required to work before clocking in, after clocking out, or during unpaid breaks. All work time must be compensated under New Jersey law.
03
Misclassification Issues
Being wrongly classified as an independent contractor or exempt employee to avoid paying overtime. Many workers are entitled to overtime despite their job title.
04
Unpaid Final Wages
Not receiving your final paycheck or accrued vacation time after leaving a job. New Jersey requires prompt payment of all earned wages upon termination.
05
Illegal Deductions
Employers making unauthorized deductions from paychecks for uniforms, tools, or damages. Most deductions require written employee consent under New Jersey law.
06
Minimum Wage Violations
Being paid below New Jersey's minimum wage or having tips improperly counted toward minimum wage requirements. Tipped employees have specific protections.
Cases we handle
Common scenarios
What to expect
How the
process works
Document Your Work Hours
Keep detailed records of your actual hours worked, including start and end times, breaks, and any off-the-clock work. If your employer doesn't keep proper records, your own documentation becomes crucial evidence. Save all pay stubs, timesheets, and communications about work schedules.
Calculate Your Unpaid Wages
We help you determine exactly how much you're owed in unpaid wages, overtime, and penalties. This includes reviewing your job duties to determine if you're properly classified as exempt or non-exempt. Many workers are surprised to learn they're entitled to overtime despite their job title.
File Your Wage Claim
We can file your claim with the New Jersey Department of Labor or pursue a lawsuit in court, depending on your situation. New Jersey's six-year statute of limitations gives us significant time to recover wages, and the law provides for attorney's fees in successful cases.
Negotiate or Litigate
Many employers prefer to settle wage claims quickly to avoid publicity and additional penalties. If settlement isn't possible, we're prepared to take your case to court. New Jersey courts take wage violations seriously and often award liquidated damages that double your recovery.
Collect Your Recovery
Once we secure a settlement or judgment, we ensure you receive all unpaid wages, overtime, penalties, and interest. New Jersey law also provides for attorney's fees, so you keep more of your recovery. We also help ensure your employer corrects their practices going forward.
Questions
Frequently
asked
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Most employees who work more than 40 hours per week are entitled to overtime at time-and-a-half, regardless of whether they're paid salary or hourly. Common misconceptions include thinking managers or salaried employees are automatically exempt. The key is your actual job duties, not your title or how you're paid.
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New Jersey allows you to recover unpaid wages going back six years, which is much longer than the federal two-year limit. This means even older wage violations can be worth pursuing, especially when combined with liquidated damages and interest.
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No. New Jersey law strictly prohibits retaliation against employees who file wage claims or complain about wage violations. If your employer retaliates, you may have additional claims for wrongful termination or other damages beyond your wage claim.
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Many workers are misclassified as independent contractors when they should be employees entitled to overtime and other protections. The classification depends on factors like who controls your work, whether you use company equipment, and how integral your work is to the business, not just what your employer calls you.
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No upfront costs, and New Jersey law provides for attorney's fees in successful wage cases. We work on contingency, meaning we only get paid if we recover money for you. The law is designed to make it financially feasible for workers to pursue their rights.
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Don't worry. New Jersey law requires employers to keep accurate time records, and if they fail to do so, courts often accept the employee's reasonable estimate of hours worked. We can also help gather evidence from coworkers, emails, security footage, or other sources to prove your actual hours.
Free Consultation
Unpaidwages?
Tell us what happened. We'll give you an honest assessment - no pressure, no obligation, and no fee unless we recover for you. We're available by phone or at our offices, and we're happy to meet you wherever is most convenient.
Call Us Directly
(973) 401-0064