Know Your Rights: Overtime Pay Laws in New Jersey
If you’re putting in more than 40 hours a week at work, you should be fairly compensated for your time. Yet many New Jersey employees are denied the overtime pay they rightfully deserve—whether due to misclassification, employer error, or deliberate wage theft. Fortunately, both federal and state laws protect your right to overtime pay.
NJ Employment Lawyers, LLC is committed to helping workers understand and enforce their wage and hour rights. If you suspect your employer is violating overtime laws, we’re here to help you take action and get paid what you’ve earned.
Who Is Entitled to Overtime Pay?
Under both the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and New Jersey wage and hour law, most employees are entitled to overtime pay for hours worked over 40 in a single workweek. Overtime must be paid at a rate of at least 1.5 times the employee’s regular hourly rate.
Overtime rules apply to:
- Hourly employees
- Many salaried employees (depending on duties and pay level)
- Employees misclassified as independent contractors
Just because your employer says you’re “exempt” doesn’t make it so. The law looks at what you actually do on the job—not just your title or how you’re paid.
Common Overtime Violations
Many employers use tactics that violate overtime laws, including:
- Classifying employees as exempt without meeting legal criteria
- Failing to include bonuses or commissions in the overtime rate
- Encouraging or requiring “off-the-clock” work
- Not paying for mandatory pre- or post-shift activities
- Setting arbitrary salary caps to avoid paying overtime
These practices are illegal, and workers are often entitled to back pay, damages, and attorney’s fees when they occur.
Recent Developments in NJ Overtime Law
New Jersey has taken steps in recent years to strengthen wage and hour enforcement. The Wage Theft Act significantly increased penalties for employers who fail to pay proper wages and overtime. Workers can now seek:
- Liquidated damages (double the amount of unpaid wages)
- Up to 6 years of back pay
- Protection from retaliation for filing a claim
These changes have made it easier for employees to fight back against wage theft and recover what they’re owed.
How to Protect Your Overtime Rights
If you think you’re being denied overtime pay, here’s what you should do:
- Track your time – Keep detailed records of hours worked, including any time spent working off the clock.
- Review your job duties – Determine whether your responsibilities truly qualify you as exempt from overtime.
- Speak with a lawyer – An employment attorney can evaluate your case and determine the best course of action.
Don’t rely on your employer to tell you whether you’re entitled to overtime—they may be getting it wrong or avoiding the truth.
How NJ Employment Lawyers, LLC Can Help
We have years of experience handling wage and hour cases in New Jersey. Our attorneys will investigate your employer’s pay practices, calculate your unpaid wages, and pursue compensation on your behalf. Whether your case involves a single violation or systemic abuse, we’re here to fight for justice.
If you’re in New Jersey and believe your employer is denying you proper overtime pay, don’t wait. You may have limited time to recover lost wages, and your claim only gets stronger with timely action.
Contact NJ Employment Lawyers, LLC
Address:
101 Eisenhower Pkwy #300
Roseland, NJ 07068
Phone: (973) 358-7027
About Us:
NJ Employment Lawyers, LLC represents workers throughout New Jersey in wage and hour disputes, including unpaid overtime, misclassification, and retaliation. We’re here to ensure you get paid fairly—every hour, every time.
