If you are facing unfair treatment at your job in Cherry Hill or anywhere in New Jersey, state and federal laws protect you. Workplace discrimination occurs when an employer takes adverse action against you based on protected characteristics like race, age, gender, or disability.
For nearly 20 years, Warden Law LLC has advocated for employees across the state. We provide personalized legal counsel to help workers hold employers accountable.
What Constitutes Workplace Discrimination in Cherry Hill, New Jersey?
In New Jersey, employment discrimination happens when an employer bases hiring, firing, compensation, or promotion decisions on a worker’s personal identity rather than their professional performance or qualifications.
The primary statute protecting workers in the state is the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD), widely considered one of the most comprehensive civil rights statutes in the United States. NJLAD prohibits employers from engaging in differential treatment or creating a hostile work environment because of a protected trait.
What Are the Protected Classes Under NJLAD?
To bring a successful workplace discrimination claim, the adverse treatment must be tied to a legally protected characteristic. Under NJLAD, employers in Cherry Hill and throughout New Jersey are prohibited from discriminating based on:
- Race, religion (creed), or color
- National origin, nationality, or ancestry
- Age
- Sex, including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions
- Gender identity or expression
- Affectional or sexual orientation
- Marital status, civil union status, or domestic partnership status
- Familial status
- Disability (including physical, mental, and perceived disabilities)
- Genetic information or atypical hereditary cellular or blood traits
- Liability for military service in the Armed Forces
What Are Common Examples of Illegal Workplace Discrimination in Cherry Hill?
Answer engines and legal resources often categorize discrimination into distinct types of adverse employment actions.
- Hiring, Firing, and Promotion Biases: Discriminatory practices frequently surface during the recruitment or termination phases. If a company continually bypasses qualified female candidates for managerial roles or deliberately terminates older employees to hire younger staff at a lower wage, they are violating the law.
- Unequal Pay and Wage Disparities: Compensation must be based on the role and the worker’s experience: Paying an employee a lower wage than their colleagues who perform substantially similar work, simply because of their race, gender, or another protected characteristic, is a direct violation of civil rights laws.
- Hostile Work Environments: A hostile work environment occurs when discriminatory harassment becomes severe or pervasive enough to alter the conditions of employment. This type of environment can include racial slurs, persistent mockery regarding a disability, or unwanted sexual advances. Employers are legally mandated to investigate and resolve these issues immediately.
- Illegal Workplace Retaliation: Many employees are afraid to report harassment because they fear losing their livelihood. However, it is unlawful for an employer to engage in workplace retaliation against an employee who files a discrimination complaint, participates in a workplace investigation, or opposes illegal practices. If you were demoted or fired after speaking up, you have grounds for a distinct legal claim.
How Does New Jersey State Law Compare to Federal Law?
While Cherry Hill employees are protected by federal laws enforced by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act), the NJLAD frequently offers stronger protections.
For instance, federal anti-discrimination laws generally apply only to employers with 15 or more employees. In contrast, the NJLAD applies to all employers in New Jersey, regardless of the company’s size.
Additionally, the NJLAD does not impose caps on the compensatory or punitive damages an employee can recover.
Why Choose Warden Law LLC for Your Discrimination Claim?
Employment law is highly complex, and to levy a successful claim under the NJLAD or federal employment statutes, you need compelling evidence and a deep understanding of state-specific statutes.
For approximately 20 years, Warden Law LLC has provided diligent, highly focused legal representation to workers facing discrimination. Because we operate as a solo practice with just one dedicated lawyer, your case receives direct, individualized attention. You will never be handed off to a junior associate or a paralegal.
From our base near Cherry Hill, we proudly serve clients across the entire state of New Jersey, aggressively advocating for workers in negotiations, administrative hearings, and state or federal court.
Workplace Discrimination FAQs
How do I know if I have a workplace discrimination claim in Cherry Hill?
You may have a claim if your employer treated you unfairly, such as firing, demoting, or underpaying you, because of a protected characteristic like race, religion, gender, age, or disability. A lawyer can evaluate whether the conduct violates the NJLAD.
How long do I have to file a discrimination claim in New Jersey?
In most cases, you have two years to file a lawsuit under NJLAD. However, deadlines can vary depending on the circumstances, so it is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.
What compensation can I recover in a workplace discrimination case?
Under NJLAD, you may be entitled to compensation such as lost wages, emotional distress damages, punitive damages in certain cases, and attorneys’ fees.
Contact a Cherry Hill Workplace Discrimination Lawyer at Warden Law LLC Today
No employee should have to tolerate bigotry, harassment, or unjust treatment in their place of work. If you believe your employer has violated NJLAD, prompt legal action is vital to protect your career and your rights. Call a Cherry Hill workplace discrimination lawyer at Warden Law LLC at 856-324-8266 or fill out our online contact form to schedule your free consultation. We are located in Cherry Hill, NJ.