On October 27, 2014, the New Jersey Assembly Labor
Committee advanced amended legislation that would require employers to provide
paid sick leave to their employees. The Legislature
is joining a national and local trend to mandate paid sick leave in almost
every workplace.
The bill would require employees to accrue one hour of
sick leave for every 30 hours worked, up to 40 hours per year if the
employer has fewer than 10 employees and up to 72 hours per year if the
employer has 10 or more employees. The
employer would be required to pay the employee for earned sick leave at the
employee’s normal rate of pay. The bill
provides for penalties for non-compliance with its requirements.
The Labor Committee made several amendments to the
bill. Among other changes, the Committee
defined the term “benefit year” as a 12-month period established by the
employer during which an employee accrues and uses earned sick leave. It also specifically exempted from its
purview construction employees who are covered by a collective bargaining
agreement.
The proposed legislation is now before the Assembly Budget
Committee for review. It will need to be
passed by the Assembly, then by the Senate, and finally by Governor Chris
Christie before it becomes binding legislation.
Connell Foley’s labor and employment law attorneys will continue to
track this bill.
