Leaves of Absence
New Jersey Leave of Absence Lawyer (Family, Medical, Disability)
Charles Z. Schalk is a New Jersey leave of absence attorney who is committed to providing solutions-focused advocacy to employees. We are here to be your trusted employment law partner. Our firm handles the full range of leave of absence cases, including family, medical, and disability. If you have specific questions about a leave of absence issue, we are here to help. Contact our New Jersey employment law attorney today for a confidential, no obligation initial consultation.
Have Questions About Your Leave Rights? Contact Our New Jersey Employment Lawyer Today
We Represent Employees in All Types of Leave of Absence Cases in New Jersey
There may come a time when you need to take a leave of absence from your job position in order to deal with a serious matter, such as a health issue or a family issue. In some cases, employees are entitled to job-protected leave under Federal law, state law, or a combination of both. Charles Z. Schalk is a New Jersey employment lawyer who helps people secure their leave rights. We handle the full range of leave of absence cases in New Jersey, including:
- Family Leave: Life’s significant moments can require your full attention. Whether it is the joyous arrival of a new child or the need to care for a seriously ill relative, Family Leave provides you the opportunity to focus on what matters most without fear of losing your job. If you have any questions about family leave, our New Jersey employment lawyer can help.
- Medical Leave: Health should always be a priority. Medical leave serves as a much needed protection for employees dealing with serious health issues. Whether it is recovering from major surgery or undergoing continuous treatment, we help you navigate the complexities of federal and state medical leave laws. If you have any specific questions about a medical leave issue, please contact our New Jersey leave of absence attorney today.
- Disability Leave: Employees who find themselves unable to work due to a disability are afforded protections under various laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and New Jersey state regulations. Notably, disability leave can encompass both short-term and long-term absences (depending on the need). We provide solutions-driven legal representation in disability leave cases.
Key Federal and State Regulations that You Should Know About
Leave of absence issues are regulated by an interconnected web of Federal and state laws. All employees in New Jersey should be aware of the relevant laws. Our firm is prepared to help you navigate your rights and responsibilities under all regulations. Here are some of the most important federal and New Jersey leave laws to understand:
- Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA): The FMLA is a Federal law that entitles eligible employees to take unpaid, job-protected leave for specified family or medical reason. An employee is eligible if they have worked for their employer for at least 12 months and for 1,250 hours over the past 12 months. The FMLA allows for up to 12 weeks of leave within a 12-month period for the birth and care of a newborn child, adoption, care for an immediate family member with a serious health condition, or for the worker’s own health condition.
- Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA): The ADA is a Federal law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public. In the context of employment, the ADA requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities, unless doing so would cause an undue hardship. Notably, short-term or even long-term leave may be a reasonable accommodation.
- New Jersey’s Family Leave Act (NJFLA): The NJFLA often works in tandem with the FMLA but is specific to New Jersey. This act allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave in a 24-month period to care for a newborn, newly adopted child, or a sick relative. The NJFLA covers employers with 30 or more employees. It is an important distinction because there are many mid-sized employers in New Jersey that are covered by the NJFLA but are not covered by the federal FMLA.
- Paid Leave Rights in New Jersey (FLI Program): Notably, New Jersey has one of the most comprehensive state-level paid leave programs in the entire country. While leave through the FMLA, NJFLA, or ADA is likely going to be unpaid, a worker in New Jersey may have guaranteed paid leave rights through the Family Leave Insurance (FLI) program. The program is funded through payroll deductions, and employees are eligible to receive up to 85 percent of their weekly wage, with a maximum set by the state each year. The duration of paid leave can be up to 12 weeks in a 12-month period or up to 56 days of intermittent leave. FLI can be used for bonding with a child or to care for a seriously ill family member.
Why Work With New Jersey Medical Leave Lawyer Charles Z. Schalk
Navigating leave of absence issues can be complicated. Whether you are dealing with a family leave matter, medical leave matter, or disability leave matter, it is normal to have a lot of questions about your rights and your options. Charles Z. Schalk is a New Jersey employment attorney who helps employees protect their rights. A member of the National Employment Lawyers Association, Attorney Schalk has the skills and experience to take on all types of employment leave cases. We are proactive. Along with other things, our New Jersey leave of absence attorney is prepared to:
- Listen to your story and answer questions about your options;
- Investigate the matter, gathering relevant documentation;
- Handle any leave of absence paperwork; and
- Take whatever action is needed to protect your rights.
Contact Our New Jersey Disability Leave Attorney Today
Charles Z. Schalk is a New Jersey employment law attorney who has the skills and experience to handle all types of leave of absence cases—from family to medical. If you have any questions about a leave of absence issue, we are here to help. Contact our leave of absence attorneys today for your completely confidential initial consultation. Our firm handles employment law matters throughout all of New Jersey.
“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.”*”