In New Jersey, state and federal laws guarantee workers fair pay for an honest day’s work. Among these, two critical issues are minimum wage standards and overtime pay. Here at Risman & Risman P.C., we focus on advocating for employee rights, helping to ensure that New Jersey workers receive their due wages and aren’t exploited.

As of 2023, the minimum wage in New Jersey is $15.00 per hour for most workers. However, there are exceptions. For instance, tipped employees can be paid a lower cash wage as long as their tips and cash wages meet the standard minimum wage. The minimum wage can also be lower for minors and other specific categories of workers.

But don’t be mistaken – these laws don’t exist as an excuse for employers to exploit their employees. If you believe you’re not being paid the minimum wage you’re legally entitled to, we are here to help.

Consider this example: a server in a local café, who’s regularly paid below the minimum wage because of his tip allowance, realizes that on slow business days, his tips and base wage do not meet the standard minimum wage. This is a violation of New Jersey’s minimum wage laws.

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), a federal law, stipulates that employees must receive overtime pay for hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek at a rate not less than time and one-half their regular pay rates. New Jersey law echoes the FLSA’s provisions, ensuring the right of employees to fair overtime compensation.

In New Jersey, unless exempted, employees must receive overtime pay for hours worked over 40 in a workweek at a rate not less than time and one-half their regular pay rate. While there are several exemptions in the law, it is essential to note that job titles do not determine exempt status. Rather, the actual job duties, responsibilities, and salary of the employee determine if an exemption applies.

For instance, it’s not automatically legal if a retail store manager earns a salary but works more than 40 hours a week without receiving overtime pay. If her duties mainly consist of non-managerial tasks, like customer service or restocking shelves, then despite her title, she may be entitled to overtime pay under New Jersey law.

At Risman & Risman, P.C., we have extensive experience helping clients recover unpaid wages and overtime. We’ve represented workers across various industries, from restaurant and retail employees to office workers. We understand that each situation is unique and offer a tailored approach, seeking the best possible outcome for each client.

Imagine you’re an assistant at a bustling marketing agency, working late hours on high-pressure projects. While you’re committed to your job, your employer has failed to pay you overtime, even though you’ve worked more than 40 hours a week. This is where our firm steps in. We’ve helped clients file claims to recover their rightful wages in similar situations.

You should know that the law protects against retaliation by employers. If you file a wage complaint, participate in an investigation, or exercise your rights under wage and hour laws, your employer cannot fire, demote, or reduce your hours in retaliation. We can help you assert these rights and stand up to retaliation.