Advocacy Group: Staffing Agencies are Violating New Jersey New Temp Worker Laws

On February 12th, 2024, the New Jersey Monitor reported that temp worker advocates are sounding the alarm that staffing agencies in the state are out of compliance with the new temp worker laws. As of early February, 40 complaints have been filed with state regulators over the new law. Within this blog post, our Monmouth County employment law attorney provides an overview of the law and explains the concerns raised by the advocacy group.

Background: New Jersey Passed New Law to Protect Rights of Temporary Workers

 Last February, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed the New Jersey Temporary Workers Bill of Rights (TWBR) into law. The legislation took effect in the state in the Summer of 2023. The core purpose of the law is to help equalize the pay between temporary workers and full-time staff members. Most notably, the law requires temporary workers in New Jersey to receive the same rate of pay as direct employees who are performing the same position with the same level of skills/expertise. Another key provision of the statute is that it bars staffing agencies from putting clauses into contracts with temp workers that make it more difficult for them to get full-time employment. There are many other regulations included in the law to protect temp workers as well.

Concerns Raised that Staffing Agencies are Failing to Comply With Regulations

 There are serious questions being raised about compliance with the New Jersey Temporary Workers Bill of Rights. As reported in the article from the New Jersey Monitor, Elvira Gomez, a temp worker in a warehouse for glass containers, has observed little change in her workplace conditions. Ms. Gomez contends that the staffing agency that she works for continues to flout the new state regulations. She cites two specific concerns:

• The staffing agency charges were for mandatory transportation; and
• The staffing agency fails to provide her with a schedule a week in advance.

Both of these practices are now prohibited by New Jersey law. Thus far, the New Jersey Monitor has confirmed that nearly four dozen complaints related to the temp worker law have been lodged with the state’s Department of Labor (DOL). Investigations are ongoing. Unfortunately, advocacy groups for temp workers contend that the effectiveness of the TWBR has been  hampered by the delay in finalizing the enforcement regulations. The state is still working out guidelines for enforcement.  The regulatory gap has led to criticism from labor advocacy groups, who argue that the state’s enforcement efforts have been insufficient.

Get Help From Our New Jersey Employment Lawyer for Temp Workers Today

At Poulos LoPiccolo PC, our New Jersey employment attorneys have the skills, knowledge, and expertise to protect the rights and interests of temporary workers. If you believe that your rights were violated as a temporary worker, we can help. Contact our law firm today to arrange your fully private case review. Our firm handles employee rights cases throughout New Jersey.

Source:

newjerseymonitor.com/2024/02/12/temp-worker-advocates-say-staffing-agencies-are-flouting-new-law/