Workers in New Jersey who take paid leave from their jobs are protected by a range of laws, including the New Jersey Family Leave Act, the federal Family and Medical Leave Act and the New Jersey SAFE Act. But just how aware are workers of the protections given by the state’s paid leave laws? The state Department of Labor and Workforce Development commissioned a study to find out. 

The two-year study by the John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development found 71% of workers reported having access to paid time off to care for themselves. The study also showed that people of color and lower-paid workers were more hesitant to use their paid leave options, fearing for their job security despite the fact the laws contain protections against retaliation by employers.  

In New Jersey, all employers are required to provide paid sick leave to nearly all employees. But, in a related study, the Heldrich Center found some employers discourage workers from taking sick leave and share incorrect information. 

According to the labor department, applications/payouts for family leave have increased by more than 50% since 2107, “particularly among fathers and nonbirth parents taking leave.” And, since 2016, “the percentage of family leave claims for males taking leave to bond with a new child has doubled from 14 percent to 28 percent.”