34:11-56.66 Retaliation against complaining worker, disorderly persons offense.
9.Any contractor or subcontractor who discharges or in any other manner discriminates against any worker because the worker has made any complaint to the worker's employer, to the State Treasurer or to the commissioner that the worker has not been paid wages in accordance with the provisions of this act, or because the worker has caused to be instituted or is about to cause to be instituted any proceeding under or related to this act, or because the worker has testified or is about to testify in any such proceeding shall be guilty of a disorderly persons offense and shall, upon conviction therefor, be fined not less than $100 nor more than $1,000.
As an alternative to or in addition to any other sanctions provided by law for violations of any provision of this act, if the commissioner finds that a contractor or subcontractor has violated the act, the commissioner is authorized to assess and collect administrative penalties, up to a maximum of $250 for a first violation and up to a maximum of $500 for each subsequent violation, specified in a schedule of penalties to be promulgated as a rule or regulation by the commissioner in accordance with the "Administrative Procedure Act,'' P.L.1968, c. 410 (C. 52:14B-1 et seq.). When determining the amount of the penalty imposed because of a violation, the commissioner shall consider factors which include the history of previous violations by the contractor or subcontractor, the seriousness of the violation, the good faith of the contractor or subcontractor and the size of the contractor's or subcontractor's business. No administrative penalty shall be levied pursuant to this section unless the commissioner provides the alleged violator with notification of the violation and of the amount of the penalty by certified mail and an opportunity to request a hearing before the commissioner or the commissioner's designee within 15 days following the receipt of the notice. If a hearing is requested, the commissioner shall issue a final order upon such hearing and a finding that a violation has occurred. If no hearing is requested, the notice shall become a final order upon expiration of the 15-day period. Payment of the penalty shall be due when a final order is issued or when the notice becomes a final order. Any penalty imposed pursuant to this section may be recovered with costs in a summary proceeding commenced by the commissioner pursuant to the "Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999," P.L.1999, c.274 (C.2A:58-10 et seq.). Any sum collected as a fine or penalty pursuant to this section shall be applied toward enforcement and administration costs of the Division of Workplace Standards in the Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
L.2005,c.379,s.9.
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Last modified: October 11, 2016