Known for jug handles, Bon Jovi, beautiful beaches and, unfortunately, Snooki, New Jersey, year after year, is also slowly becoming one of the most employee-friendly states in the country. With amendments to the state’s WARN act, minimum wage increases, cannabis testing rules, new posting requirements and pending legislation limiting noncompetes, restricting nondisparagement clauses and effectively altering the state’s staffing industry, 2022 was no exception. Employers must be aware of these significant changes, lest they risk significant liability.
Minimum Wage Increase
Effective January 1, 2023, the state minimum wage will increase from $13 an hour to $14.13 an hour, due to 2019 legislation signed by Governor Phil Murphy that raises the wage floor to $15 an hour by 2024. After July 1, 2024, the minimum wage will increase according to the rate of inflation as provided by the consumer price index.
While the $14.13 minimum wage applies to most employees, there are certain exceptions. Seasonal and small employers will have to pay $12.93 an hour, up from $11.90. Seasonal employers are those whose businesses operate only during the summer months or that pay 75 percent or more of their wages during a continuous four-month period; small employers are those that employ five or fewer employees. These employers will have to increase their wages to $15 an hour by 2026. Agricultural workers will be entitled to $12.01 an hour (up from $11.05), and direct care staff in long-term care...
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