New Jersey Strengthens Protections for Temporary Workers
On Feb. 6, 2023, New Jersey adopted Assembly Bill (AB) 1474 to provide certain protections and rights to temporary workers within the state. Although most provisions of this law become effective on Aug. 5, 2023, the notification and nonretaliation requirements become effective on May 7, 2023.
Affected Entities
AB 1474 protects temporary laborers. This term means a person who contracts for employment in a designated classification placement with a temporary help service firm. “Temporary laborer” does not include agricultural crew leaders who are registered under the federal Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act. The amendments also impose obligations on “temporary help service firms,” defined as any entity that employs individuals directly or indirectly for the purpose of assigning them to assist the entity’s customers (also known as third parties) with “temporary, excess or special work loads.”
AB 1474 Overview
Among other things, the new law requires temporary help service firms to:
- Provide temporary laborers with a written description of their assignment and applicable labor rights and protections;
- Inform laborers of and allow them to refuse work if there is a strike, lockout or other labor dispute at their assigned work;
- Maintain specific assigned work records;
- Provide detailed itemized wage statements; and
- Allow laborers to accept a permanent position with third-party clients.
AB 1474 also prohibits these firms from retaliating against laborers who exercise their rights under the law.
Temporary Help service firms will need to provide temporary laborers a written description of their assignment and applicable labor rights and protections.