New Jersey Legislative Update: Equal Pay and Paid Sick Leave

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy recently signed into law a bill that provides equal pay protections for members of certain protected classes.  Governor Murphy also signed into law a bill that requires New Jersey employers to provide paid sick leave to employees.

A summary of both laws is provided below:

Equal Pay Act

The Diane B. Allen Equal Pay Act, which takes effect July 1, 2018, prohibits employers from paying members of a protected class at a rate of compensation (including benefits) that is less than others who perform "substantially similar work".  Under the law, protected classes are determined based on race, creed, color, national origin, nationality, ancestry, age, marital status, civil union status, domestic partnership status, affectional or sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy, sex, gender identity or expression, or disability.  Comparisons of wage rates will be based on the wage rates in all of the employer's operations or facilities.