First-of-its-kind ruling exposes costly compliance gaps in vacation and sick leave policies
One employer's sick leave missteps just triggered a $1.3 million judgment affecting 103 workers in precedent-setting New Jersey ruling.
The New Jersey appeals court delivered its verdict on January 28, 2026, affirming that County Concrete Corporation violated the state's Earned Sick Leave Law across the board. The decision affects not just two drivers who brought the case, but 103 of their coworkers who joined the fight.
William Cano and Raymond Bonelli worked as hourly drivers at County Concrete's Kenvil location. Both served as union shop stewards. When their collective bargaining agreement expired in January 2019, they noticed something: the company wasn't following the state's sick leave law that had taken effect months earlier.
Five months later, they filed suit on behalf of themselves and their fellow employees at the company's five New Jersey worksites.
County Concrete tried two main defenses. First, it claimed the construction industry exemption freed it from the sick leave requirements. Second, it argued its vacation policy already satisfied the law.
Neither argument worked.
The court looked at how the federal government classifies businesses. Construction companies fall under one industry code. County Concrete, which makes and delivers ready-mix concrete using purchased sand and gravel, falls under manufacturing. The company supplies materials to builders. It doesn't build...
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