The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (LWD) has released a new mandatory state posting, the New Jersey SAFE Act. The SAFE Act provides New Jersey employees up to 20 days of unpaid leave to address circumstances resulting from domestic violence or a sexually violent offense.
Under the SAFE Act, leave may be taken by an employee who is the victim of domestic violence or a sexually violent offense. Leave may also be taken by an employee whose child, parent, spouse, domestic partner, or civil union partner has been the victim of a domestic violence incident or a sexually violent offense. To be eligible, the employee must have worked for the employer at least 1,000 hours during the preceding 12-months.
Leave may be taken for reasons:
- Medical attention or recovering from injuries;
- Counseling or victim services;
- Safety planning, relocation or other activities related to safety or economic security; and
- Legal assistance or court proceedings.
The law applies public and private employers with 25 or more employees. The law prohibits discrimination or retaliation against employees who exercise rights under the Act. Legal action for a violation of the Act must be filed within one year of the alleged violation.
Employers with 25 or more employees are required to post the SAFE Act poster and use other appropriate means to keep employees informed. The SAFE posting is included on Compliance Poster Company’s New Jersey All-On-One state labor law poster. The New Jersey SAFE Act is effective October 1, 2013.