File a Wage Complaint. /*-->*/. Mandatory Overtime in a Health Care Facility Complaint: if you are ahealth care worker who provides direct patient care (e.g. The user is on notice that neither the State of NJ site nor its operators review any of the services, information and/or content from anything that may be linked to the State of NJ site for any reason. - SCI Statute: Powers and Responsibilities, 50 West State St. 14th Floor The NJFLI is a wage-replacement statute that provides benefits to . The judge also ordered the employer to pay $7,634 in civil money penalties. 200 Constitution AveNW Governor Sheila Oliver, Department of Labor and Workforce Development. For more information about the FLSA and other laws enforced by the division, contact the agencys toll-free helpline at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243). An official website of the United States government. When it is determined that an employee is due back wages or when it is determined that there is a violation of any of the laws and regulations under the jurisdiction of the Division of Wage and Hour Compliance, the employer is sent an Assessment Letter. Read the full report here. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE. Contractors providing services and performing work for federal government agencies must comply with all of the obligations specified in their contracts. - Individuals and Families, Important The investigator has no control over the amount of fees and/or penalties; they are determined after the case has been submitted and reviewed by a supervisor. Investigations handled by the Labor Unit include Unemployment and Disability Insurance frauds. The Department was represented in this matter by the Office of the Attorney Generals Affirmative Civil Rights and Labor Section within the Division of Laws Affirmative Civil Enforcement Practice Group, including Eve Weissman, Mary Kenah, Shireen Farahani, John-Paul Proctor, and former DAGs Peter Basso and Micauri Vargas, under the supervision of Assistant Attorney General Mayur Saxena, drafted, served, and collected records from 55 subpoenas issued by the Department of Labor. Fiduciaries are also prohibited from using plan assets for their own interests.. The substantial assessment of penalties and back wages is the result of the Murphy Administrations continued commitment to protecting workers rights and cracking down on employee misclassification, said State Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio. Employer Accounts provides information for employers regarding filing due dates, interest and penalties, penalty abatement, voluntary contributions, and more. Free Consultations (973) 364-8300 Hablamos Espaol Home The user is on notice that neither the State of NJ site nor its operators review any of the services, information and/or content from anything that may be linked to the State of NJ site for any reason. TRENTON A unique partnership between the New Jersey Departments of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL), Treasury, Banking and Insurance, and the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has resulted in the assessment of more than $1.3 million in back wages and penalties to 20 contractors performing construction work at 88 Regent Street in Jersey City, where a multi-agency team of more than 60 investigators conducted an unannounced sweep in summer 2021 in response to allegations of workers being misclassified. . The law requires fiduciaries to discharge their duties solely in the interests of plan participants and beneficiaries in a prudent manner, and to diversify plan investments so the risk of large losses is minimized, said Employee Benefits Security Administration Acting Regional Director Cristina OBrien, in Philadelphia. NJDOL has been ramping up its worker protection and safety enforcement. On June 13, 2014 the NLRB affirmed an ALJ decision issued in Laurus Technical Institute, 360 NLRB No. Google Translate is an online service for which the user pays nothing to obtain a purported language translation. A to Z. Among other things, the statute broadens Similarly, the Stone Harbor Beach Patrol compensated lifeguards for hours worked, but were not including an overtime pay rate. for a property owned or leased by the State of New Jersey, complete the MW-31B form.Selected Labor Laws Complaint: if you are an employee working in New Jersey or you are working for a New Jersey-based company and you have a complaint about an employment issue enforced by the Division of Wage and Hour Compliance, complete the MW-31C form. The State of NJ site may contain optional links, information, services and/or content from other websites operated by third parties that are provided as a convenience, such as Google Translate. Resources, Commissioner & Key @media (max-width: 992px){.usa-js-mobile-nav--active, .usa-mobile_nav-active {overflow: auto!important;}} -Read Full Disclaimer, "My benefits are ending. Contractors providing services and performing work for federal government agencies must comply with all of the obligations specified in their contracts. Full . We will continue to make sure workers especially young workers who may not yet understand their work rights are being paid properly.. 2019, chapter 44, off-site fabrication of components to be used in public works projects are covered under state prevailing wage laws. OI conducts civil investigations related to serious allegations/incidents of abuse, neglect, exploitation, and other serious incidents involving individuals served in DHS facility and community settings. The fees are paid directly to the State to offset the costs of the investigations. US Department of Labor recovers $352K in back pay for 653 workers after Detroit area staffing agency misclassifies them as independent contractors, Operator of Dairy Queen franchises fined $42K after federal investigation finds child labor violations at 11 Indiana, Michigan, locations. #views-exposed-form-manual-cloud-search-manual-cloud-search-results .form-actions{display:block;flex:1;} #tfa-entry-form .form-actions {justify-content:flex-start;} #node-agency-pages-layout-builder-form .form-actions {display:block;} #tfa-entry-form input {height:55px;} nurse, nursing assistant, home health aide, etc., but not a doctor) and you believe your New Jerseyemployer improperly required you to work overtime, complete the MW-31OT form.Mail or fax your completed complaint form to: New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce DevelopmentDivision of Wage and Hour ComplianceP.O. We are grateful for the collaboration with our sister agencies on this joint investigation. NJDOLs Division of Wage and Hour Compliance joined staff from the Treasurys Division of Taxation, the Department of Banking and Insurance and the Attorney Generals Office to follow up on complaints of workers being misclassified as independent contractors or paid off-the-books while working at the Jersey City construction site. WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that its Wage and Hour Division is seeking to add 100 investigators to its team to support its enforcement efforts including the protection of workers' wages, migrant and seasonal workers, rights to family and medical leave and prevailing wage requirements for workers on federal contracts. You may file an anonymous complaint by mail if you so choose, but then neither you nor anyone else will receive any information about the complaint unless a resolution is reached with your employer and wages due are sent as part of the resolution. Trenton NJ, after an NJ.com investigation found that state government agencies aren't answering the phone when people call for . The Labor Prosecutions Unit is responsible for investigating and prosecuting individuals involved in committing fraud against the New Jersey Department of Labor. Civil money penalties may be assessed for child . TRENTON A New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) investigation initiated by complaints found that 347 lifeguards were due more than $400,000 in unpaid overtime from three Jersey Shore municipalities Atlantic City, the Borough of Avalon, and Stone Harbor. Working with our sister agencies, were holding employers accountable to our states wage, benefits and tax laws. The link provided has been removed by NJ Department of Labor . In addition to its own violations, P & B also contracted with at least 5 other lower tier sub-contractors who also failed to properly classify their employees and pay them properly. Governor Sheila Oliver, Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Multi-Agency Investigation Results in Assessing 20 Contractors More than $1.3M in Back Wages and Penalties. *Effective May 27, 2014, the DHS Special Response Unit and the Office of Investigations merged to become the DHS Office of Investigations. To review the laws enforced by the Division, click here. A total of 146 employees were found to be owed $197,150 in unpaid overtime. Neither you nor anyone else will be able to check on the status of an anonymous complaint. The Division of Public Safety and Occupational Safety and Health enforces laws and regulations that provide for safe working conditions throughout New Jersey's public and private sector. The general contractor of the private construction project, Grand Street Construction of Jersey City, can be held responsible for the unlawful actions and back wages of its sub-contractors per N.J.S.A. Depending on the nature of the claim, the claim will either be assigned to a field investigator, handled by mail, or referred for a Wage Collection proceeding. Workers can call the Wage and Hour Division confidentially with questions regardless of their immigration status and the department can speak with callers in more than 200 languages. Department of Labor, claimants can file an initial PUA claim for 30 days after the program ends. "We will not tolerate companies and contractors that cut corners to make an extra buck. This ongoing partnership frequently results in criminal convictions of identified perpetrators and further helps to ensure the health, safety and well-being of individuals receiving services.Serious cases involving caregivers substantiated for acts of abuse, neglect and/or exploitation are subsequently referred by OI for DHS consideration to place the perpetrators name on the DHS Central Registry of Offenders against Individuals with a Developmental Disability. Normally, these hearings are held in Trenton; however, if this presents a hardship, the employer can request an alternate location. Where can I find informative posters for employers? The first violation results in a fee of 10% of the unpaid wages; a second offense results in an 18% fee; and a third or more offense results in a 25% fee. Use Employer Access to view an account summary, check contribution rates, and more. Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act, Learn more about the Wage and Hour Division, Surfside Beach restaurant pays more than $75K in back wages to 10 workers after US Department of Labor finds employer shortchanged tipped employees, Sanford contractor pays more than $334K in back wages to 212 workers to resolve violations found in US Department of Labor investigation. .h1 {font-family:'Merriweather';font-weight:700;} (TRENTON) - A team of more than 60 investigators from the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) and the Department of the . Box 045 I am excited to announce I have joined the Alliance of Women in Workers' Compensation as an Ambassador. The site is secure. Men of Steel was hired by general contractor Railroad Posillico JV LLC of Paterson to build reinforcing steel cages for a Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission project in Newark. TRENTON - The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development has blocked at least $1.2 billion in fraudulent unemployment claims from being paid since COVID-19-related applications deluged the state's system in March. janitor, security guard, window cleaner, etc.) Are other resources available?". October 21, 2022. Additionally, seven minors were working without proper documentation, and their hours were not being documented. The subcontractor was further cited for not indicating the craft contributed to the public works project, obstructing/hindering the enforcement of prevailing wage laws, and failure to provide certified payroll records to the public body, as stipulated under the New Jersey Prevailing Wage Act. Placement of the perpetrators name on the Central Registry ensures an added level of protection to individuals served as he/she is prohibited from working with individuals with an intellectual/developmental disability for a minimum of five years. Additionally, 14 minors were working without a proper Employment Certificate, and the time-in/time-out was not being documented the for minor employees, as the law requires. Nearly all reports issued by the OIG since FY 2001 and selected reports issued before then are posted on this web page. If an employer also owes a fee, the fee will be a percentage of the wages that are due. February 9, 2023. OI is comprised of a Director, three (3) Regional Chiefs, (10) Regional Supervisors, forty (40) Investigators and two (2) Support Staff. In lieu of litigation, the Department may seek back wages, liquidated damages, and civil money penalties, if applicable, through settlements with employers. OI investigation findings are routinely forwarded to key DHS and DHS division entities for appropriate action and needed follow-up. Trenton, NJ 08625-0045 The U.S. Department of Labor is dedicated to ensuring employers pay essential workers all the wages they earned, said Wage and Hour Division District Director Jorge Alvarez in New York. 133 (Laurus), a case we previously . These conferences are normally held by telephone to minimize the impact on the employers business operations. Wage and Hour Compliance. NEW YORK When Mitchell Martin Health Care LLC contracted with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in 2020 to provide registered nurses and respiratory therapists to help care for an influx of coronavirus-related patients at four DVA medical centers in the New York City area, it committed to complying with federal wage and contracting laws. Princeton, New Jersey, United States. If a Wage Collection decision is appealed by either the complainant or the employer, the case is sent to The Superior Court of New Jersey where the appeal will be heard. The State of NJ site may contain optional links, information, services and/or content from other websites operated by third parties that are provided as a convenience, such as Google Translate. Involved with DHS! The maximum amount of a Wage Collection award is $50,000 and complainants must waive any amount over $50,000. TRENTON - A unique partnership between the New Jersey Departments of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL), Treasury, Banking and Insurance, and the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has resulted in the assessment of more than $1.3 million in back wages and penalties to 20 contractors performing construction work at 88 Regent Street in Jersey . The penalties are not determined by the individual investigator, and it is not within the investigator's jurisdiction to discuss the amount of penalties. NJDOL will continue to pursue collection of the assessed back wages and penalties as cases settle. -Read Full Disclaimer. -Read Full Disclaimer. The investigation led to the departments recovery of $263,289 in back wages for 46 employees. The user is on notice that neither the State of NJ site nor its operators review any of the services, information and/or content from anything that may be linked to the State of NJ site for any reason. There are also instances when a complainant will have the option of pursuing a claim through a Wage Collection proceeding. Get Prevailing Wage Rates. For more information about unemployment insurance, visit the Division of Unemployment Insurance's website. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE. 2022 Top Management and Performance Challenges Facing the U.S. Department of Labor DOL-OIG Semiannual Report to Congress, Volume 88 (April 2022-September 2022) Highlights to the Semiannual Report (April 2022-September 2022) InterArch Inc. is an international design firm specializing in architecture, interiors, and branding. ACC GREATER PHILLY Currently serving as President-Elect and on the Board of Directors. Central matters represent a higher risk to Sandoz from a reputational, business, financial, legal and/or quality/safety perspective.Promote positive labor relations by effectively interacting with local associates to understand regional requirements, conduct local investigations, facilitate the sharing of best practices, and support local ER . The Labor Department encourages you to report potential fraud by calling (609) 777-4304, by faxing (609) 292-5593, or online. Grand Street Construction, LLC of Jersey City, was the owner/ general contractor on the project. An official website of the United States government. #block-googletagmanagerfooter .field { padding-bottom:0 !important; } 30: 6D - 76 et seq. Releases, Public and Legislative Affairs, & Publications, Providers & Stakeholders: 4 Comments. .manual-search-block #edit-actions--2 {order:2;} In Atlantic City, Investigators from the Departments Division of Wage and Hour Compliance found the citys lifeguards were only paid overtime after they reached 48 hours of work per week, not the 40-hour per week mark required under the law. Staff, Disaster & Emergency Plan fiduciaries must ensure they comply with ERISAs provisions to protect workers retirement income. Claiming benefits online is easy, fast and secure. .dol-alert-status-error .alert-status-container {display:inline;font-size:1.4em;color:#e31c3d;} .cd-main-content p, blockquote {margin-bottom:1em;} Learn about our identity verification process. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA / o /) is a large regulatory agency of the United States Department of Labor that originally had federal visitorial powers to inspect and examine workplaces. Through this review, individual and systemic issues and concerns may be identified. Washington, DC 202101-866-4-USA-DOL1-866-487-2365www.dol.gov, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Programs (IRAP), Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB), Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), Employees' Compensation Appeals Board (ECAB), Employment and Training Administration (ETA), Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Office of Administrative Law Judges (OALJ), Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs (OCIA), Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS), Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management (OASAM), Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy (OASP), Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO), Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP), Ombudsman for the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program (EEOMBD), Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS), Economic Data from the Department of Labor. the staff of the Ridgewood blog. As the general contractor of the project, Railroad Posillico JV LLC, an unregistered public works contractor, is also being investigated for hiring Men of Steel as an unregistered subcontractor. In exchange for the guilty plea, the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey . New Jerseys lifeguards put their lives on the line for the safety of summer shore visitors, so it's our responsibility to ensure they receive all the wages they are entitled to, said Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo. Wage Complaint for Non-Payment of Prevailing Wage Rate: if you are an employee working in New Jersey in a construction-related public works project, or if you . Our New Jersey employment law attorneys represent civil service and non-civil service law enforcement officers in all areas of New Jersey employment law, including disciplinary charges and employment litigation in State and Federal trial and appellate courts. The State of NJ site may contain optional links, information, services and/or content from other websites operated by third parties that are provided as a convenience, such as Google Translate. Services Links to assistance with food, housing, child care, health, and more. Audit and Other Reports. Subcontractor P & B Partitions of West Berlin, which hired several of the other subcontractors at fault, was cited for records violations, misclassifying employees, and unpaid and late wages, and assessed more than $324,000 in penalties and fees, in addition to a $8,692 misclassification penalty to be paid to 22 of its workers. Preponderance of the evidence means that based on evidence and information gathered through the investigation, an allegation or incident is more likely true than not. The investigation resulted from a complaint alleging that custom fabrication work performed at Men of Steels New Jersey location was subject to the New Jersey Prevailing Wage Act. .cd-main-content p, blockquote {margin-bottom:1em;} As part of its investigative and quality assurance activities, OI issues individual case findings and cites systemic concerns identified during the investigative process to help ensure the continued health, safety and well-being of all individuals served. Princeton University Department of Public Safety - Event Security Team Member; Provide public safety and security services to the . Department of Labor & Workforce Development, Governor Phil Murphy Lt. The penalties are applied after the investigator submits the case and the supervisor reviews the case and the employer history and determines the amount to be assessed. Included in the Office's supervisory responsibilities are the investigation of complaints, on-site examinations, the monitoring of net worth and surety bonding requirements through annual report filings, and the initiation of . See links to assistance with food, housing, child care, health, and more. The employer will then be sent a notice (Assessment Letter) with the findings and any fees or penalties which are due. 30:6D-17 stipulates: The Department shall ensure that every developmentally disabled person in a community residential facility receives adequate medical and dental care, a nutritionally adequate diet, a full daily program of structured activities, and those other services which are necessary to maximize the developmental potential of the developmentally disabled person in a manner least restrictive of personal liberty. Several members of the NJDOL and OAG staff deserve kudos for their work on this matter and for achieving this outcome: From NJDOL, Legal Liaison Mindy Gensler, Assistant Commissioner of Wage and Hour and Contract Compliance Joseph Petrecca, Division Director David Biglin, Assistant Directors Toni Longo and Barry Hickey, and Assistant Chiefs Marc Goldberg and Lawrence Cirignano all had a hand in leading the investigation. 30:1-12.1, OI is charged by the Commissioner of the Department of Human Services with the responsibility to conduct investigations involving incidents and allegations of individuals served by DHS. An NJDOL audit of hours worked and payroll records revealed that, under this law, Men of Steel owed six workers a total of nearly $8,300 in unpaid wages. They also did not pay CWHSSA-required overtime compensation to three employees, while one employee did not receive FLSA-required overtime wages. Visit our online portal to file a complaint online. [CDATA[/* >