The legal and personal issues that go along with being a victim of domestic violence can be overwhelming. As a result, many victims find that their work lives suffer while they are recovering from the trauma of domestic violence.
To address this issue, New Jersey lawmakers passed the Security and Financial Empowerment (SAFE) Act to allow victims to address their domestic violence situations while maintaining employment security. The SAFE Act, which took effect on October 1, 2013, requires New Jersey employers with 25 or more regular employees to provide up to 20 days of unpaid but job-protected leave for domestic violence victims to address any of the following:
- To seek medical attention for one’s self, child, parent, spouse or domestic partner
- To obtain services from a victims organization or to help a relative do so
- To obtain psychological counseling or care for one’s self or relative
- To relocate or take other actions to secure safety for one’s self or relative
- To seek legal assistance for one’s self or relative
- To attend or participate in criminal or civil court proceedings stemming from domestic violence against one’s self or relative
The SAFE Act prohibits employers from discharging, harassing or demoting employees based on their status as domestic violence victims. Unfortunately, some employers may be slow to recognize their obligations under the SAFE Act. Fortunately, New Jersey’s community of employment discrimination lawyers is ready to assist domestic violence victims and their families in asserting their workplace rights.
Neil H. Deutsch has been practicing law for over 35 years and is known as a skilled negotiator in employment and discrimination law. He believes in a bottom-line approach of risk analysis and cost effectiveness for his clients. "Case evaluation is something we take seriously," says Mr. Deutsch who seeks top net dollar for his…
Bruce L. Atkins is the Senior Managing Partner at Deutsch Atkins & Kleinfeldt P.C., a prominent plaintiff employment law firm in the tri-state area. Mr. Atkins believes employees’ rights should be aggressively pursued when they’ve been wrongfully dealt with by their employers. He brings this philosophy to his practice when considering each case and its…
Adam J. Kleinfeldt joined Deutsch Atkins & Kleinfeldt, P.C. in March of 2015. He primarily represents individuals in employment litigation such as discrimination, retaliation and whistle blowing matters. He has extensive experience in all phases of the litigation process. Adam has obtained significant results for his clients, including a $525,000 jury verdict in a sexual…
Debra M. McGarvey joined Deutsch Atkins & Kleinfeldt, P.C. in December 2019. She has extensive experience defending employees and employers in state and federal court in employment litigation matters. She has represented clients on various issues arising out of the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD), the New Jersey Conscientious Employee Protection Act (CEPA), the…
Carly Skarbnik Meredith, Esq. is a Partner at the firm. Carly has focused her career exclusively in the field of employment law. She has a plethora of experience representing both employees and employers with their employment issues, needs, and concerns. She believes representing both employees and employers has made her an extremely well-rounded client advocate.…
