On Friday, March 20, 2020, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed into law a measure aimed at protecting workers who request time off because they have (or may have) COVID-19. This measure applies only to the current coronavirus pandemic.
Effective immediately, New Jersey employers are prohibited from terminating or retaliating against an employee if the employee requests time off:
- on the recommendation of a healthcare provider;
- for a specified amount of time; and
- because the employee has, or is likely to have, an infectious disease which could affect others in the workplace.
After the specified amount of time has expired, the employee must be allowed to return to work, in the same position, with the same benefits and terms as prior to the leave.
Employers who violate this new law can be ordered to reinstate the employee and will be subject to fines of $2,500 for each violation.
The New Jersey Department of Labor has created printable guides outlining COVID-19 benefits for NJ employees.