Living with a disability should never mean facing limited opportunities in your career. Unfortunately, employees across Middlesex County still experience workplace discrimination because of physical, emotional, or mental impairments. Whether the discrimination is overt or hidden behind company policies, New Jersey law strongly protects the rights of disabled workers.
If you’ve been denied accommodations, treated unfairly, or retaliated against due to your disability, you may have a legal claim worth pursuing.
What Is Disability Discrimination?
Disability discrimination occurs when an employer treats a qualified individual unfavorably because of a current, past, or perceived disability. It also includes failure to provide reasonable accommodations that would enable an employee to perform their job functions, unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on the business.
Common examples include:
- Refusing to hire someone due to a known medical condition
- Ignoring requests for modified schedules, equipment, or workspaces
- Firing or demoting someone after they disclose a disability
- Retaliating against employees who assert their rights under disability laws
Legal Protections for Disabled Workers in New Jersey
New Jersey workers are protected under both federal and state law. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits employers from discriminating against qualified individuals with disabilities, and the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD) offers even broader coverage.
Under NJLAD, employers with just one employee are covered, and protections extend to a wide range of physical and psychological conditions. Unlike federal law, NJLAD does not impose strict definitions on what qualifies as a disability—giving greater flexibility to those seeking protection.
Reasonable Accommodations: What You’re Entitled To
Reasonable accommodations are changes to the work environment or job duties that allow a person with a disability to perform essential functions of their job. Examples include:
- Adjusting work hours or break times
- Providing assistive technology or modified equipment
- Allowing remote work or flexible schedules
- Changing job duties temporarily
Employers are legally required to engage in an interactive process with employees to determine appropriate accommodations. Simply ignoring a request is a violation of the law.
Filing a Disability Discrimination Claim in Middlesex County
If you believe your employer has discriminated against you due to a disability, take the following steps:
- Document everything: Save communications, evaluations, and any written accommodation requests.
- Report internally: Make your concerns known to HR or a supervisor, preferably in writing.
- Consult with a lawyer: An employment attorney can help you build a case and file a claim with the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights or through the court system.
Time limits apply, so acting promptly is essential to preserving your legal options.
Your Disability Rights Matter
At NJ Employment Lawyers, LLC, we proudly serve workers in Middlesex County and beyond. Our firm has extensive experience representing individuals in disability discrimination cases, and we’re committed to holding employers accountable when they fail to follow the law.
You don’t have to accept unfair treatment. We’re here to help you assert your rights and secure the accommodations and compensation you deserve.
Contact Information
NJ Employment Lawyers, LLC
101 Eisenhower Pkwy #300
Roseland, NJ 07068
(973) 358-7027
About Us:
NJ Employment Lawyers, LLC represents employees across New Jersey in matters involving discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, and violations of disability rights. Our firm prides itself on delivering responsive, dedicated legal representation tailored to each client’s needs.