Official Site of The State of New Jersey

Paid Leave Benefits: If you cannot work, because you need to cope with domestic/sexual violence, or are caring for a loved one

• Up to 40 hours of Earned Sick Leave under NJ law that your employer must provide.
• Cash benefits through NJ Temporary Disability & Family Leave Insurance.

Job-Protected Leave: myleavebenefits.nj.gov/jobprotection

• New Jersey SAFE Act—If you cannot work because you need to handle matters related to domestic or sexual violence or need to support a loved one who is a victim/survivor, you may be eligible for 20 days of unpaid, job-protected leave.
• Federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)—If you need to care for your own serious medical condition, care for a family member with a serious medical condition, or bond with a new child. Includes conditions related to sexual/domestic violence—enforced by the US Department of Labor.
• New Jersey Family Leave Act (NJFLA)—If you need to care for a family member who has a serious health condition, or care for/bond with a new child—enforced by NJ Division on Civil Rights (DCR). Further resources on NJFLA, which is enforced by the DCR are found here.

You could be eligible for both paid leave benefits and job-protected leave at the same time, or one or the other.

Unemployment benefits—If you left your job for a reason related to domestic/sexual violence. NJDOL reviews to determine your eligibility if you quit.

Protection from Discrimination—The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD) prohibits sexual harassment, a form of gender-based discrimination, in employment.

The New Jersey Division on Civil Rights (DCR) enforces the LAD and other laws. Anyone who believes their rights under the LAD, NJFLA, or Fair Chance in Housing Act (FCHA) have been violated may file a complaint with DCR within 180 days of the incident. Further resources are found here.

Cash Benefits:

• Temporary Disability Insurance typically provides 10-12 weeks of cash benefits for when you need to stop working during your pregnancy and while recovering from childbirth.
• Family Leave Insurance provides up to 12 weeks of cash benefits for time taken off from work to bond with your new child before your baby's first birthday. 

You can also receive up to 24 weeks of job-protected leave under the federal Family and Medical Leave act and  NJ Family Leave Act.

You may be eligible to receive up to 26 weeks of cash benefits under NJ Temporary Disability Insurance if you cannot work due to a mental health condition with a medical provider’s certification. At the same time, you could receive up to 12 weeks of job-protected leave under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act.

To care for a loved one who has a mental health condition, you may be eligible to receive up to 12 weeks of cash benefits under NJ Family Leave Insurance. You can also receive up to 12 weeks of job-protected leave to care for a family member under the NJ Family Leave Act or the federal Family and Medical Leave Act.

For short-term leave, you can accrue up to 40 hours of NJ Earned Sick Leave to care for yourself or loved ones, that your employer pays. Most NJ workers are covered.

LGTBQIA+ workers may be eligible for benefits and protections that can support them. Learn more at nj.gov/labor/lgbtq.

Large hotel employers must provide employees who work alone in guest rooms—like housekeeping and rooms service—a free and easy to use panic device.

Panic devices send for immediate assistance if you are in danger, or in other emergencies.

Learn more at nj.gov/labor/panicdevice.

You deserve to work in an environment free from discrimination based on gender, including sexual harassment.

The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD) prohibits discrimination and harassment in employment, places of public accommodation, and housing based on actual or perceived sex gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

The NJ Department of Labor does not enforce the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination; it is enforced by the NJ Division on Civil Rights. To find out more or to file a complaint, visit here or call 973-648-2700.

Click here to learn more about the protections from discrimination or harassment under the LAD.

Referrals to domestic violence or sexual violence agencies

• New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-601-7200
• New Jersey Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-572-SAFE (7233)
• Women’s Referral Central: 800-322-8092

State resources

• Division on Women: General information
• WorkFirst NJ and DV: This program created special pathways to assistance for those that experienced domestic violence.
• Domestic Violence Policy for State Employees
• Sexual Violence Survivor Bill of Rights: Know your rights as a survivor
• Victims of crime rights and resources
• New Jersey Courts

Other organizations
The following organizations are not all State agencies, and are not officially affiliated with the NJ Department of Labor in terms of services for sexual/domestic violence victims and survivors. Please contact them to determine if their services are appropriate for you.

• New Jersey Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence State Coalitions
• Legal Resources
• Legal Services of New Jersey
• Central Jersey Legal Services
• Partners NJ

Culturally specific organizations that provide services:

• WAFA House
• Manavi
• Hispanic Family Center
• Community Affairs and Resource Center
• Harambe Social Services
• Mercy Center
• Project SARAH

National organizations

• National Network to End Domestic Violence
• National Sexual Violence Resource Center

Learn more at myworkrights.nj.gov.