120 NJ Businesses Targeted for Employment Violations, Totaling $13.5M in Penalties

The New Jersey Department of Labor escalates enforcement against 19 additional employers skirting wage, benefit, and tax laws, raising the total to 120 businesses on The WALL.

In a significant move to reinforce workplace accountability, the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) has added 19 businesses to its Workplace Accountability in Labor List (The WALL) this February. This action underscores NJDOL's commitment to addressing outstanding liabilities related to violations of wage, benefit, and tax laws, bringing the total number of non-compliant employers to 120. Collectively, these businesses owe a staggering $13.5 million in penalties, either directly to their workers or in unpaid taxes or contributions.

The 19 newly flagged businesses are accused of failing to provide their workers with adequate workers’ compensation coverage, contributing to a total owed amount of $931,997.12 in penalties. These companies, now barred from engaging in public contracting with state, county, or local governments, have had multiple opportunities to settle their debts or appeal their assessments but have failed to do so.

The WALL serves as a critical enforcement tool, publicly identifying companies that deny their workers rightful benefits and evade mandatory contributions to vital programs like unemployment insurance and workers' compensation. This list, which was established through bipartisan action in 2020, aims to combat worker misclassification and exploitation, protecting fair-minded businesses from those that seek a competitive advantage through unethical means.

The NJDOL's initiative not only highlights the department's power to enforce labor laws but also supports transparency and accountability in public contracting. State, county, municipal, and school procurement officers are required to check The WALL before awarding public contracts, ensuring that companies with outstanding liabilities are not rewarded with taxpayer-funded projects.

Businesses facing inclusion on The WALL receive advance notice and 20 days to rectify their outstanding liabilities or challenge their placement. This process underscores the NJDOL's commitment to due process while maintaining strict enforcement of labor laws.

The WALL is updated monthly, reflecting the ongoing effort to ensure workplace fairness and compliance across New Jersey. This initiative is a testament to the NJDOL's dedication to safeguarding workers' rights and upholding the integrity of the state's labor market.

For more information on The WALL and to view the list of businesses currently facing restrictions, visit the NJDOL's official website. This resource not only informs the public and procurement officers but also serves as a deterrent to businesses considering circumventing New Jersey's labor laws.

[Questions about The WALL should be directed to OSECInquiries@dol.nj.gov.]