NJ Labor Dept. Issues Stop-Work Order for Carpet Work at American Dream Mall

The New Jersey Department of Labor ordered NSC Floors to halt carpet-repair work at American Dream after finding improper classification of three construction workers; the order was issued Sept. 26, 2025.

TRENTON — Investigators from the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development’s Division of Wage and Hour Compliance issued a stop-work order on Sept. 26, 2025, against NSC Floors of Fort Lee for carpet-repair work at the American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, the agency said. The department cited improper classification of construction workers and said three workers were affected.

Stop-work orders are a tool the NJDOL uses to halt work it determines exploits workers or violates state labor laws; the department said this action was one of 207 stop-work orders issued since the agency’s authority was expanded in July 2019.

An employer may appeal a stop-work order; NJDOL must schedule a hearing within seven days of an appeal. The department also said it can assess civil penalties of $5,000 per day against employers who continue operations in violation of an order. A stop-work order may be lifted only after the employer pays any owed back wages and penalties and resolves related compliance issues.

The NJDOL has issued multiple stop-work orders tied to projects at American Dream in recent years, part of a broader enforcement effort at the megamall and elsewhere in the state.

Workers or members of the public seeking information on workplace rights and protections can consult the department’s resource site at myworkrights.nj.gov.