New Jersey Civil Rights Lawyers

In New Jersey, you are entitled to have your civil rights be protected in the workplace. You are allowed to have freedom of speech, religion, association, and more — even while you are at work. When someone infringes upon those rights, you deserve to fight for justice. If your civil rights were violated while at work in New Jersey, you may be able to recover compensation.

Whether you are a government employee or private sector worker, New Jersey has special protections in place to preserve your rights. The New Jersey employment lawyers at Aiello, Harris, Abate, Law Group PC maintain a wide breadth of knowledge about those protections. We offer tenacious representation for those who have been mistreated at work.

What is the New Jersey Civil Rights Act?

Enacted in 2004, the NJ Civil Rights Act is designed to protect the rights of New Jersey citizens under the United State Constitution and the New Jersey Constitution. What made the NJ Civil Rights Act monumental was that it safeguards employees’ civil rights within private sector workplaces, an entirely new concept.

How does the Act work?

Under the Act, wronged individuals can bring about one of two types of claims: those which may be brought on directly by individuals (including employees) and those which may be brought on their behalf by the State Attorney General.

If your civil rights were violated by someone using authority given to them by a government agency, you can directly file a claim. If your civil rights were violated by a private citizen not working for a government agency, you can bring the claim to the State Attorney General who can pursue it on your behalf.

What rights are covered under the Act?

Various American and state privileges are safeguarded by the Act, including:

  • Freedom of speech
  • Freedom of religion
  • Freedom of association
  • Freedom to petition the government
  • Due process of law
  • Equal protection of the law

What is the ‘color of law’?

The Civil Rights Act uses the expression “color of law.” “Color of law” simply means that the person is using authority given to him or her by a local, state or federal government agency.

Examples of civil rights violations in the workplace

Determining whether or not your civil rights have been violated at work can be difficult. Sometimes there is a gray area due to specific employers’ rules and regulations – that’s why the NJ attorneys at Aiello, Harris, Abate, Law Group PC work diligently to decide whether your case is worth pursuing.

Some instances that may be workplace civil rights violations include:

  • Being fired due to your political affiliation
  • Being retaliated against for reasonably exercising free speech
  • Not being hired because of your religion
  • Being denied due process as a government employee

The standards may be different for public versus private sector workers. But whether you work for the government or for a private employer, you deserve to have your basic rights as an American citizen upheld.

Contact our New Jersey civil rights oct of 2004 lawyers

At the law firm of Aiello, Harris, Abate, Law Group PC, we are 100% dedicated to employees’ rights. Don’t let your basic freedoms be trampled on. Call us today at (908) 561-5577 or contact us online to arrange your free initial consultation.