Somerset County Employment Lawyer
Your Trusted Somerset County Employment Law Attorney
If you are facing discrimination, harassment, or retaliation at work, you may feel isolated, overwhelmed, and unsure of your rights. You do not have to navigate this alone. Charles Z. Schalk is an experienced Somerset County employment law attorney who understands exactly what you are going through. With a proven record of success across a wide range of complex employment claims, we are committed to doing everything possible to protect your rights, your career, and your livelihood.
Charles Schalk provides solutions-focused, empathetic legal guidance to workers throughout Central Jersey. We know that employment disputes are deeply personal. Whether you are dealing with a hostile work environment, unpaid wages, or a wrongful termination, we are here to listen, evaluate your case, and help you chart a path forward. Contact our Somerset County employment law attorney today for a confidential, no-obligation consultation.
Why Somerset County Workers Trust Attorney Charles Z. Schalk
Employment law matters are notoriously complex, and employers often have significant resources at their disposal. As an employee in Somerset County navigating any type of workplace claim, it is crucial that you have an experienced, fearless advocate on your side.
Charles Z. Schalk is a Certified Civil Trial Attorney, a distinction granted by the New Jersey Supreme Court to fewer than 2% of all practicing attorneys in the state. He is an active member of the National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA), the New Jersey Association for Justice (NJAJ), and the Somerset County Bar Association.
With an office located right here in Somerville, overlooking the Somerset County Courthouse, Charles Schalk is deeply embedded in the local legal community. We understand the landscape of major employers in the region—from the pharmaceutical hubs in Bridgewater to the corporate campuses in Basking Ridge—and we know how to hold them accountable. Backed by a strong record of client testimonials and multi-million dollar case results, our firm provides proactive, personalized advocacy to employees. We are ready to get started on your case right away.
Our Somerset County Employment Law Practice Areas
We are a top-rated New Jersey employment law firm that represents employees exclusively. Employment law is our specialty, and our team is committed to doing the right thing, the right way, in the right amount. We take on all types of employment law cases in Somerset County.
To learn more about your specific situation, please visit our dedicated Somerset County practice area pages:
- Sexual Harassment: No worker should endure unwanted sexual advances, quid pro quo demands, or a hostile work environment. We hold abusers and negligent employers accountable.
- Workplace Discrimination: We fight against all forms of unfair treatment based on legally protected characteristics under state and federal law.
- Race Discrimination: If you are facing unequal pay, disparate discipline, or a hostile environment because of your race or national origin, we can help.
- Gender Discrimination: We aggressively pursue cases involving the gender pay gap, the “glass ceiling,” and disparate treatment based on sex or gender identity.
- Pregnancy Discrimination: You should never be demoted, denied accommodations, or fired because you are pregnant or planning to start a family.
- Disability Discrimination: Employers must provide reasonable accommodations for physical and mental health conditions. We enforce your right to work.
- Sexual Orientation Discrimination: New Jersey law strictly prohibits discrimination or harassment based on who you love or how you identify.
- Religious Discrimination: We protect your right to practice your faith and demand reasonable religious accommodations in the workplace.
- Unlawful Retaliation: If you were fired, demoted, or punished for reporting illegal activity, whistleblowing, or filing a complaint, you have a powerful legal claim.
Additional Employment Services
In addition to discrimination and harassment claims, we also provide robust representation for:
- Wage and Hour Disputes: Recovering unpaid overtime, addressing minimum wage violations, and fighting employee misclassification.
- Wrongful Termination: Challenging illegal firings that violate public policy, employment contracts, or anti-discrimination laws.
- Executive Severance and Contracts: Reviewing and negotiating employment agreements, severance packages, and restrictive covenants like non-competes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Employment Law in Somerset County
What is the statute of limitations for filing an employment lawsuit in New Jersey?
In New Jersey, the statute of limitations depends on the type of claim. For claims under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD), you generally have two years from the date of the discriminatory act to file a lawsuit. For whistleblower claims under CEPA, the limit is typically one year. Wage and hour claims can have different deadlines. Because these time limits are strict, it is crucial to consult with an employment lawyer as soon as possible.
How do I prove a hostile work environment?
To prove a hostile work environment under New Jersey law, you must show that the harassing conduct was severe or pervasive enough to alter the conditions of your employment and create an abusive working environment. You must also show that the harassment was based on a protected characteristic (like race, gender, or religion). Keeping detailed records, saving emails, and noting witnesses are critical steps in building your case.
Can I be fired for complaining about my boss’s illegal behavior?
No. Firing an employee for reporting illegal behavior, safety violations, or discrimination is considered unlawful retaliation. The New Jersey Conscientious Employee Protection Act (CEPA) specifically protects whistleblowers from retaliatory actions, including termination, demotion, or harassment.
What compensation can I recover in a wrongful termination case?
If you are successful in a wrongful termination or discrimination lawsuit, you may be entitled to recover lost back pay, future lost wages (front pay), compensation for emotional distress, and in cases of particularly egregious conduct, punitive damages. In many cases, the court can also order the employer to pay your attorney’s fees.
Take the First Step Toward Justice Today
Facing an employment dispute can feel like an uphill battle, but you do not have to fight it alone. Charles Z. Schalk is a New Jersey employment attorney who puts employees first. We will listen to your story, evaluate the facts of your case, and provide you with clear, honest advice about your legal options.
If you have questions about your rights, we can help. Call us at (908) 526-0707 or connect with us online to arrange a fully confidential, no-strings-attached initial consultation.
Our firm represents employees all across Somerset County, including in Bridgewater Township, Hillsborough Township, Montgomery Township, Bernards Township, Franklin Township, and North Plainfield. Let us put our experience to work for you.
“Mr. Schalk obviously obtained a very successful verdict in a very very difficult case. This Court had an opportunity to observe Mr. Schalk throughout the trial. He certainly performed at an extremely high level . . . And to obtain the verdict that he did is a rare case . . . I feel very strongly that Mr. Schalk’s work in this case was at a very high level, a superior level and that if the 100 percent enhancement of the lodestar is in the rare case this would be the rare case in which Mr. Schalk would be entitled to that.”*”
