The bill, sponsored by Assemblyman Wayne DeAngelo and signed into law on Aug. 6, 2019, enhances enforcement of state wage and hour laws, ensuring that workers are paid what they are owed. Under the law, employers who violate wage and hour protections by not paying minimum wage, overtime or failing to pay for hours worked can be held liable for treble damages and fines. The law also extends the statute of limitations from two to six years for workers to file claims, strengthens joint employer liability where firms use subcontractors and strengthens anti-retaliation provisions to protect employees who speak out against wage and hour violations.

Why it matters to working people.

The phrase "wage theft" generally refers to employees being denied full compensation for their work under the law. Often, low-wage and immigrant workers are victims of wage theft and are denied meal breaks, overtime pay and minimum wage and are forced to work off the clock without pay.  Wage theft can occur when workers are not paid, underpaid or misclassified as independent contractors.

It is illegal to not pay or to underpay workers their wages, yet a significant number of U.S. workers are being denied core wage and workplace protections. This law strengthens the enforcement of wage and hour violations, ensuring that workers are paid what they are owed. Because when employers take advantage of workers, it drives down the standards for everyone.

What people are saying.

“This law will ensure that New Jersey’s working men and women are paid the wages they have earned.” —Charles Wowkanech, New Jersey State AFL-CIO President