Sparta, NJT: 973.729.1880F: 973.729.1224LCRLAW.COM


   

Employment and Labor Law

We assist management and individuals in making informed decisions that are in compliance with current employment & labor law.

Many employers find that they are not yet ready for a full team of dedicated HR employees and they do not have the expertise to deal with the many legal complexities that human resources present. To serve the needs of these organizations, the Employment and Labor Law practice Group has devised a tailored package of employment-oriented services, called LCR Employer Support, to fill the gap. Click here to find out more.

The increasing demands of doing business makes compliance with the ever-changing myriad of state and federal employment laws and regulations a challenge without end. Employers and employees need to understand and manage issues including wrongful termination, age discrimination, sexual harassment and discrimination, as well as hostile working conditions and retaliation.

The firm advises clients in all facets of employment and labor law, including matters relating to discharge and discipline; grievance handling and resolution; PERC; wage and hour; and compliance with NJLAD, ADA, Title VII, ADEA, FMLA, FLSA, as well as the remaining alphabet soup of employment and labor law.

Our attorneys are experienced and accomplished in working with state and federal labor laws, as well as working with labor unions in organizing drives, contract negotiations and grievance proceedings. Laddey Clark & Ryan attorneys are successful in alternate dispute forums, but are prepared to litigate unresolved issues in state, federal and administrative courts.

Public sector employment and labor laws present a unique set of issues in managing employer-employee relations in the public sector. Laddey Clark & Ryan is uniquely qualified and experienced in all aspects of public employment including managing relations in a civil service community and engaging in collective bargaining with public sector labor unions including police, public works and office workers.

Laddey Clark & Ryan attorneys have represented municipal and county employers, as well as individuals, at the OAL; Department of Labor; PERC; Department of Personnel; before the Merit Review Board and in the State and Federal Courts. Our attorneys can counsel public employers through the requirements of public employment discipline, accountability and termination so as to preserve resources while effectively maintaining a productive working environment.

Core Practice Areas

  • Personnel Policy Manuals
  • Non-Compete, Non-Solicitation, Severance Agreements
  • Municipal Employment
  • Labor Relations and Contract Negotiations
  • Internal Investigations
  • Employment & Labor Litigation
  • Counseling and Training

Attorneys

Thomas N. Ryan, Practice Leader
Ursula H. Leo, Practice Leader

News

May 7, 2024
HR Boot Camp 2024
Join Laddey Clark & Ryan's Employment and Labor Law Practice Group for an information-packed HR Boot Camp designed specifically for small and mid-sized businesses.
January 31, 2024
Remote Work Policies
Ursula Leo will present "Remote Work Policies" in the first Employment Law webinar for 2024, on February 27, 2024.
December 12, 2023
Introduction of LCR Employer Support
Laddey Clark & Ryan announces the launch of our new LCR EMPLOYER SUPPORT program to assist employers.
September 29, 2023
Hot Topics in Employment Law 2023
In our final Employment Law Webinar of 2023, Ursula Leo and Tom White of LCR will explore Hot Topics in Employment Law.
September 21, 2023
An Employee Complains. Now What?
Ursula Leo and Tom White presented "An Employee Complains. Now What?" in a webinar on September 28, 2023.
September 21, 2023
Morris County Bar Association
Fred Knapp and Ursula Leo were panelists when the Morris County Bar Association's Employment & Administrative Law Committees presented the webinar "Practicing Labor & Employment Law Before Arbitrators & Administrative Agencies" on September 21.

Cannabis in the Workplace Workshop
Thomas Ryan and Ursula Leo will present a Cannabis in the Workplace Workshop.

HR Boot Camp 2023
Join Laddey Clark & Ryan's Employment and Labor Law Practice Group for an information-packed HR Boot Camp designed specifically for small and mid-sized businesses.

Waiting for the Air to Clear: Workplace Cannabis Policies
Ursula Leo and Timothy Profeta's article, "Waiting for the Air to Clear: Workplace Cannabis Policies," was published in the March 13, 2023 issue of The New Jersey Law Journal.
February 15, 2023
Key Issues in Compensation - Employment Law Webinar
In this February 15 webinar, Laddey Clark & Ryan's Employment and Labor Law attorneys will review state and federal wage and hour laws and employer obligations, and provide human resource professionals with guidance.

Top 5 Employee Handbook Updates Webinar
The profound changes that have impacted the workplace in the past few years have necessitated equally significant changes to employee handbooks.
4/20/2022
Where Does Drug Testing Stand with New Jersey's New Cannabis Laws?
Employers likely have a number of questions surrounding the retail sale of recreational cannabis to begin in New Jersey, April 21, and how it affects their current hiring and firing practices.
12/29/2021
Minimum Wage Increase Begins on January 1, 2022
Beginning Saturday, January 1, 2022, the statewide minimum wage will increase by $1.00 to a total of $13.00 an hour for most hourly workers.
10/28/2021
Workplace Conduct and Internal Investigations
We are doing business in an increasingly complex and aggressive regulatory environment. Therefore, employers need to understand how to respond properly and timely to allegations of wrongdoing in the workplace.
10/04/2021
First Amendment, Social Media and Workplace Impact Webinar
Social media's reach extends into every aspect of life, and more and more, it is affecting every aspect of the workplace. Today's workforce depends heavily upon the internet and social media for communication -- and that dependence is only growing.
6/9/2021
Managing Leave Requests in the Post-Pandemic World Webinar
Join Thomas Ryan, Co-Practice Leader of Laddey, Clark, & Ryan's Employment and Labor practice, and Employment and Labor attorney, Anne Mulhern, Esq. to learn how to manage leave requests with confidence.
May 11, 2021
Virtual CMFO Roundtable
Tom Ryan addressed the Virtual CMFO Roundtable.
April 21, 2021
2021 Employment Law Webinar Series
Look forward to the next program in the 2021 Laddey Clark & Ryan Employment Law Webinar Series: "Managing Leave Requests," on June 17.
Apr 21, 2021
2021 Employment Law Webinar Series: COVID-19, The Vaccine and the Workplace, Part II
Thomas Ryan and Jonathan McMeen presented "COVID-19, The Vaccine and the Workplace, Part II," the second in our multi-part 2021 Employment Law Webinar Series.
April 1, 2021
First Amendment, Social Media and the Impact on the Workplace
Thomas Ryan and Fredric Knapp will present "First Amendment, Social Media and the Impact on the Workplace" in a Zoom webinar offered by the Morris County Chamber of Commerce
March 23, 2021
2021 Edition of New Jersey Super Lawyers
Six Laddey, Clark & Ryan Attorneys Recognized as New Jersey Super Lawyers
March 19, 2021
COVID-19 Vaccine & the Workplace
Fred Knapp and Jonathan McMeen presented "COVID-19 Vaccine & the Workplace" at the Nisivoccia Virtual Certified Financial Officers Roundtable.
March 10, 2021
Disciplining Employees During the COVID Era: Laying the Framework for Clients
Ursula Leo and Nicole Tracy authored "Disciplining Employees During the COVID Era: Laying the Framework for Clients," which was published in the March 10 issue of The New Jersey Law Journal.
January 29, 2021
COVID-19 Vaccine and the Workplace
Thomas Ryan will speak on the COVID-19 vaccine and its impact on the workplace.
December 11, 2020
Family Business Fridays - Zoom at Noon
Ursula Leo and Nicole Tracy will address timely, pressing issues presented to employers during the pandemic at Fairleigh Dickinson University's Rothman Institute "Family Business Fridays - Zoom at Noon" on December 11.
December 1, 2020
Former Morris County Prosecutor Joins Laddey, Clark & Ryan, LLP
Former Morris County Prosecutor, Fred Knapp, Esq., has joined Laddey, Clark & Ryan, LLP as Senior Counsel.
September 24, 2020
Leo Quoted in BUSINESS NEWS DAILY
Ursula Leo was quoted in an article, "Should You Hire At-Will Employees?" in Business News Daily.
September 04, 2020
Back To School - Paid Leave Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)
Entering into Labor Day weekend and with many schools relying on remote instruction, it is important to know what leave is permitted for parents under the FFCRA.
August 18, 2020
Time for Review of Employment Handbooks and Policies
Many employers have now returned or will soon return employees to the workplace. It's time to take a look at your company handbook and employment practices and policies...
May 26, 2020
As Businesses Begin to Reopen, OSHA Releases its Updated Interim Enforcement Response Plan for COVID-19
Today, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Health & Safety Administration's ("OSHA") Updated Interim Enforcement Response Plan for COVID-19 (the "Plan") goes into effect...
May 8, 2020
Leo Speaking on Employment Issues
Ursula H. Leo is a presenter, speaking on employment issues, at a webinar...
April 30, 2020
Unemployment for the Self-Employed
On April 29, 2020, Governor Murphy announced that self-employed and gig workers and independent contractors will begin receiving notice about their unemployment benefit status and will begin receiving payments by the week of May 4, 2020...
April 17, 2020
COVID-19 Alert: New Jersey Family Leave Act Expanded
On April 14, 2020, the New Jersey Family Leave Act (NJFLA) was expanded to provide family leave job-protection "during epidemic-related emergencies." The new law takes effect retroactive to March 25, 2020...
April 16, 2020
Laddey, Clark & Ryan's COVID-19 Advisory Team Expands to Serve Community's Needs
One month into the COVID-19 crisis, Laddey Clark & Ryan continues to ramp up its COVID-19 LCR Advisory practice to serve the expanding and continually evolving needs of the community...
April 14, 2020
Employer Basics During COVID-19
Join Laddey Clark & Ryan Employment and Labor Law Attorneys Ursula H. Leo and Nicole C. Tracy for a free 45-minute program...
April 9, 2020
COVID-19 Update: Stop Order for All Non-Essential Construction Effective April 10
On April 8, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 122 (the "Order"). The Order provides that beginning on 8:00 p.m. on Friday, April 10, 2020, the physical operations of all non-essential construction projects must cease...
April 2, 2020
Small Employer Exemption Approved for Expanded FMLA Leave and Emergency Paid Sick Leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
On April 1, 2020, the Secretary of the United States Department of Labor ("DOL") promulgated temporary regulations (the "Regulations") to implement the public health emergency leave provided for under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act ("FFCRA")—namely, the Emergency and Medical Leave Expansion Act ("EFMLEA") and the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act ("EPSLA")...
March, 31, 2020
IMPORTANT: Employers Still Need to Comply With Posting Requirements
Employers still need to comply with labor posting requirements even while their employees are working remotely...
March 31, 2020
New Jersey Expands Earned Sick Leave and Family Leave in Light of the COVID-19 Pandemic
On March 25, Governor Phil Murphy signed Bill S2304 into law, which expanded the New Jersey Earned Sick Leave Law ("ESLL"), the New Jersey Family Leave Act ("NJFLA"), and New Jersey's Temporary Disability Benefits Law ("NJTDBL") in order to provide more New Jersey workers with expanded access to paid leave benefits and unpaid family leave during this recent public health emergency...
March 30, 2020
Paycheck Protection Program
One aspect of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security ("CARES") Act, signed by President Trump on March 27, 2020, is the Paycheck Protection Program...
March 27, 2020
COVID-19 Employment Law Update: Workplace Safety and Employee Rights
The recent characterization of COVID-19 as a pandemic by The Centers for Disease Control ("CDC") has put employers on high alert. During this unsettling time, it is critical that employers comply with State and Federal laws and regulations, protect employee rights, and safeguard employees from COVID-19-related harms...
March 25, 2020
Required Notice Pursuant to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)
Today, the Wage and Hour Division of the United States Department of Labor ("DOL") issued the required federal notice pursuant to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act ("FFRCA") (WH1422 REV 03/20). Effective immediately, the notice must be posted by all covered employers in a conspicuous place in the workplace...
March 24, 2020
Handling Employee Leave During the COVID-19 Pandemic
How to handle employee leave during the COVID-19 pandemic is a challenge...
March 23, 2020
COVID-19 Update: New Jersey Implements Stay-at-Home Order and Closure of All Non-Essential Retail Businesses
Effective Saturday, March 21 at 9:00 pm, as a result of Governor Murphy's Executive Order No. 107, all New Jersey residents are directed to stay at home until further notice. The goal of this Order is to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the population and preserve New Jersey's health care system for the State's most vulnerable residents...
March 19, 2020
Six Laddey, Clark & Ryan Attorneys Recognized as New Jersey Super Lawyers
SPARTA – Six attorneys at Laddey, Clark & Ryan LLP have been recognized as New Jersey Super Lawyers or New Jersey Rising Stars...
March 19, 2020
COVID-19 Brings Sweeping, Nationwide Changes to Employee Sick Leave
On March 18, President Trump signed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act ("FFCRA") into law...
March 16, 2020
Medical Marijuana in the Workplace: Critical Update after New Jersey Supreme Court Opinion in Wild v. Carriage Funeral Holdings, Inc.
On March 10, the New Jersey Supreme Court affirmed the Appellate Division's decision that employees terminated from their jobs as a result of their proper medical use of marijuana can bring a disability discrimination claim under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination ("LAD")...
March 4, 2020
Reminder for Employers: Ban on Pay History Inquiries is Now in Effect
As a result of a July 2019 amendment to the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination ("LAD"), effective January 25, 2020, it became unlawful for any employer to screen a job applicant based on the applicant's salary history...
March 2, 2020
Verifying Employment Eligibility: Notice of the New Form I-9
All U.S. employers are required to verify the identity and employment eligibility of new hires using the mandatory Form I-9...
January 17, 2020
Ban on Pay History Inquiries
As a result of a July 2019 amendment to the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination ("LAD"), effective January 25, 2020, it is unlawful for any employer to screen a job applicant based on the applicant's salary history...
January 10, 2020
2020 Employment Law Updates
Welcome to 2020! Along with the New Year come some important changes to employment laws in New Jersey...
October 18, 2019
All Public Employers Must Adopt a Domestic Violence Policy to Respond to Employees Experiencing Domestic Violence
Recently the Civil Service Commission published a Uniform Domestic Violence Policy for Public Employers pursuant...
October 17, 2019
The New Minimum Wage and Its Effect on Non-Profits
The materials for the Fourth Annual Non-Profit Summit are located here. If you seek further information, please contact Charlee at cmiller@lcrlaw.com
August 26, 2019
Employee or Independent Contractor? Employee Misclassification is Under Heightened Scrutiny in New Jersey
It is more crucial than ever for employers to take note and ensure their compliance with existing laws pertaining to employee classification. Under Governor Murphy's guidance...
July 29, 2019
New Jersey Bans Employers from Inquiring about Job Applicants' Pay Histories
On July 25, 2019, Acting Governor Sheila Y. Oliver signed Assembly Bill 1094 into law. The bill amends the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination ("LAD") by making it an unlawful...
July 16, 2019
Employers Must Note Changes to New Jersey's Medical Marijuana Law
On July 2, 2019, Governor Murphy signed numerous revisions to the Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act ("CUMMA"), into law. CUMMA is now...
July 16, 2019
Jansyn Presenting on Employees and Technology
Jessica Jansyn, employment and labor law attorney and Laddey Clark & Ryan partner, will present...
June 27, 2019
July 1st is Fast Approaching: Changes to New Jersey's Minimum Wage and Tip Credit
In January, we published an e-alert indicating that legislative leaders and Governor Phil Murphy agreed on a deal that will raise New Jersey minimum wage to $15 per hour...
June 11, 2019
Jansyn's Commentary Published in the New Jersey Law Journal
Partner Jessica Jansyn's Commentary, "Keeping Harassment Settlements Confidential After S121" was recently published in the...
May 28, 2019
New Jersey's Expansion on Data Breach Notification Requirements
Currently, New Jersey's data breach notification law requires businesses to notify consumers of a breach of personal information that includes...
May 21, 2019
EEOC Ruling: Employers Must Report Pay Data by September 30, 2019
As a result of the court's April 25, 2019 decision in National Women's Law Center, et al., v. Office of Management and Budget, et al., Civil Action No. 17-cv-2458 (D.D.C.), employers covered by EEO-1...
May 2, 2019
New Jersey Mandates Automatic Retirement Savings Program
On March 28, Governor Murphy signed Bill A4134 into law and established the New Jersey Secure Choice Savings Program...
March 20, 2019
NJ Prohibits Non-Disclosure Agreements in Harassment Settlements
On March 18, 2019, New Jersey Governor Murphy signed a bill, which is effective immediately and renders non-disclosure clauses in ...
March 1, 2019
New Jersey's Expansion of Family Leave Entitlements
On February 19, 2019, Governor Murphy expanded New Jersey's family and disability leave entitlements by signing Assembly Bill 3975 into …
February 7, 2019
New Jersey Minimum Wage Increasing to $15 Per Hour
On February 4th, Governor Murphy signed legislation that will raise New Jersey's minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2024. …
January 24, 2019
NJ Club Owner Cannot Avoid Unemployment Taxes for Exotic Dancers
On January 14, 2019, the Appellate Division of the New Jersey Superior Court decided a case brought by the New …
December 27, 2018
The ACA Is Invalidated But Don't Start Taking Action Yet
On December 14, 2018, a Texas federal court declared the Affordable Care Act (ACA) completely unconstitutional. Although U.S. District Court …
October 26, 2018
NJDOL Issues FAQs on new Paid Sick Leave Act
Yesterday, the New Jersey Department of Labor issued Frequently Asked Questions and answers on the Paid Sick Leave Act. These …
October 17, 2018
Are You Ready for the Paid Sick Leave Act?
The New Jersey Paid Sick Leave Act will go into effect on October 29, 2018. …
September 5, 2018
NJ Court Says No to a Reasonable Accommodation for Medical Marijuana
In conjunction with the rise of legalizing/decriminalizing medical, and even recreational marijuana use nationwide, employers increasingly face challenges in regards …
July 9, 2018
Do I Need to Pay Our Summer Interns?
Many private, for-profit employers often ask the question of whether they should be paying their interns (summer interns or otherwise). …
July 2, 2018
New Jersey Workplace Democracy Enhancement Act
The recently passed Workplace Democracy Enhancement Act imposes many new obligations and prohibitions on New Jersey public employers. Municipalities should …
July 2, 2018
United States Supreme Court Eliminates Agency Fees for Public Unions
On June 27, 2018, the Supreme Court of the United States issued an opinion declaring that public employees who are …
May 8, 2018
All New Jersey Employers Now Required to Provide Sick Leave
The newly signed law requires employers of all sizes to provide sick leave to all employees – including part-time employees. …
December 6, 2017
Court Rules That A Volunteer Firefighter Is Not Protected By CEPA
In Sauter v. Colts Neck Volunteer Fire Company No. 2, the New Jersey Appellate Division ruled that true "volunteers" are …
December 6, 2017
Court Rules That A Volunteer Firefighter Is Not Protected By CEPA
In Sauter v. Colts Neck Volunteer Fire Company No. 2, the New Jersey Appellate Division ruled that true "volunteers" are …
April 3, 2017
Laddey, Clark & Ryan Attorneys to Host Employment Basics Seminar
As part of their Employment Law Seminar Series, Laddey, Clark & Ryan, LLP will present Employment Basics for Professional Offices …
February 7, 2017
Laddey, Clark & Ryan Attorneys to Host Best Employment Practices Seminar
As part of their Employment Law Seminar Series, Laddey, Clark & Ryan, LLP will present Best Employment Practices to Start …