New Jersey has laws in place to ensure that employees are treated fairly by their employers when it comes to hours and wages. If you believe your rights are being violated by your employer, you should reach out to an experienced employment attorney. Read on to learn more about New Jersey’s wage and hours laws.
What is the Fair Labor Standards Act?
Many employees throughout the United States are protected under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Essentially, this Act determines the minimum wage for all those in the workplace, as well as overtime pay standards. Currently, the federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour. It is important to note that there are a number of employers that are not subject to the FLSA, and those employers are entitled to pay their employees a lesser minimum wage. For example, if you are a tipped employee, such as a waiter at a restaurant, you may only receive a minimum wage of $2.13 per hour. In other cases, the FLSA allows employers to pay student learners, as well as full-time students in retail or service establishments, or institutions of higher education below the minimum wage as well. In order to determine whether your rights are being violated, you should speak with an experienced attorney.
Is my Job Covered by New Jersey’s Wage and Hour Laws?
There are various workers who are exempt from the minimum wage laws, including:
- Babysitters
- Fishermen
- Newspaper delivery employees
- Newspaper employees of limited circulation newspapers
- Switchboard operators
- Workers with disabilities
What is Overtime?
The Fair Labor Standards Act also governs the overtime laws for all those who qualify for overtime pay. If you work more than 40 hours per week in a qualifying job, you should receive 1.5 times the amount of your regular pay. There are also certain jobs that pay their employees overtime for working on federally-declared holidays. That being said, there are many jobs that are exempt from receiving overtime pay, including:
- Airline employees
- Babysitters
- Certain computer professionals that are covered under Section 13(a)(17) of the FLSA
- Certain farm workers on smaller-scale farms
- Certain retail employees who receive commission
- Livestock auction workers
- Movie theater employees
- Newspaper delivery employees
- Police officers who work for public police departments with under 5 officers
- Taxicab drivers
New Jersey’s wage and hour laws can be complicated. If you believe your rights are being violated, our firm is here to help. Reach out today to discuss your case.
Contact our Firm
The dedicated and compassionate attorneys at Vigilante Law Firm, P.C. would be happy to provide you with assistance in your case and help you protect your future when so much is on the line. Contact us today to schedule a consultation so we can assess the specific circumstances surrounding your lawsuit.
