The decision to whistle blow is rarely easy, and those who have the courage to bring unlawful activity to light should know that they have rights to protect their careers. In New Jersey, the Conscientious Employee Protection Act (CEPA) protects employees from workplace retaliation, including firing, demoting, or harassment. Executives must be fully aware of what risks whistleblowing carries, but they should be equally aware of what rights employees have to protect themselves and their careers.  If you feel that you have been retaliated against due to whistleblowing in NJ, contact a lawyer ..read more

All employees are given legal rights under both state and federal law. New Jersey passed the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act to further protect pregnant women in the workplace environment. The law, which extends the protections under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, requires your employer to follow very specific rules as a pregnant person. Knowing your rights is critical. If you believe your employer is mistreating you by disregarding the regulations put in place by the NJ Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, contact an employment lawyer in NJ at the Hamilton Law Firm now to discuss your case. What A ..read more

In our digital age, eDiscovery plays a crucial role in helping employees who are seeking legal representation for their employment-related issues. When an employee approaches an employment lawyer for help, eDiscovery allows the lawyer to sift through vast amounts of digital information to build a strong case. This process involves identifying, collecting, and producing electronically stored information (ESI) relevant to the employee’s case. By leveraging technology and legal expertise, eDiscovery ensures that the employee’s documents are managed and reviewed efficiently, accurately, and cost-e ..read more

Navigating the aftermath of a Reduction in Force (RIF) can be daunting for employees who find themselves suddenly without a job. What’s even more complex is understanding whether this termination, mainly when you were on leave, could actually be considered wrongful termination. For legal practitioners specializing in employment law, HR professionals, and business owners, the intricacies of RIFs and wrongful terminations demand a detailed examination. This blog post addresses this subtle issue and provides insights that could shape your approach to such terminations, especially when individuals ..read more

If you have been terminated from your company due to layoffs or possible discrimination, you may have received a severance package. While obtaining a financial cushion may sound appealing, remember that a severance agreement is a legal contract. As with any contract, it must be carefully reviewed to ensure that it serves your best interests.  As employee lawyers, we often see cases in which employees unintentionally give up significant rights by consenting to unreasonable terms in a severance agreement. Severance agreements can offer financial security during transitions, but they may als ..read more

An LTIP, or Long-Term Incentive Plan, is a type of executive compensation package that is designed to reward senior executives for their long-term performance and commitment to the company and to encourage them to stay committed to the employer. Unlike other forms of compensation, such as base salary or annual bonuses, LTIPs are focused on long-term goals and are usually tied to the company’s stock price. In this guide, we will take a closer look at LTIPs and how they work, specifically for senior executives. What is an LTIP? An LTIP is a type of incentive plan that offers long-term rewards to ..read more

Those who dream of running their own business may choose to start a completely new company. The downside to building a business from scratch is that is a lot of risk and work involved in that approach. People have to develop a market niche, advertise, manage their business and plan for the future with little support. Some entrepreneurs decide that they’d rather decrease their risk and increase the support they receive by buying into a franchise. They enter into an agreement with an existing business to operate a standalone facility under the name of the franchisor’s brand. When the initial inv ..read more

This piece from Ayesha Hamilton appeared in NJSBA’s December 2023 issue of New Jersey Lawyer. As a plaintiff’s attorney, you are often retained before the employee is terminated. In most instances, you work in the background, guiding the employees as they navigate a difficult workplace situation. There may come a point in time when the employee is notified that human resources or an external investigator is going to investigate (a) the claims the employee is raising against a coworker/supervisor; or (b) the employee is notified that they are the target of an investigation for some alleged bad ..read more

As an executive, you hold significant responsibility for your company, your employees, and your customers or clients– and your compensation package should reflect that. If you were recently hired for an executive role and need help negotiating your executive compensation and benefits package, this guide is for you. Find seven of the most effective tips and strategies you can utilize below. 1. Identify Your Target Salary Range Before you begin actively negotiating your executive compensation package, take some time to figure out your target  base salary range. What is the absolute minimum ..read more

The opportunity to start and run a successful business is one of the best things about living in the United States. Many people dream of running a successful small business either as a way to be their own boss or as a way to generate income while providing jobs for others. The United States encourages entrepreneurial efforts. People can start businesses that offer services or products to members of the public. They can also work with other businesses rather than consumers. Ideally, the free market system in the United States allows those with the best products and business management practices ..read more