Wage Garnishment Retaliation
Discrimination Of Workers Dealing With Wage Garnishment
Wage garnishment or wage attachment can be a difficult situation for workers. Seeing a percentage of your paycheck withheld automatically can be frustrating. The situation can be made far worse by employers who take it upon themselves to further punish the person whose wages are being garnished. New Jersey law protects workers from discrimination and retaliation on the basis of garnishment orders.
How Discrimination Occurs
When it comes to income withholding orders, there are several ways employers can violate an employee’s rights. State law forbids employers from doing any of the following:
- Discharging a worker because of wage garnishment
- Disciplining a worker because of wage garnishment
- Refusing to hire someone because of income withholding or potential withholding
If you have been fired because your wages were being garnished, you have the right to sue for damages and reinstatement at your old job.
Damages From Wage Garnishment Discrimination
The New Jersey statute allows for the recovery of two times the compensatory damages suffered by the employee. It also allows for the recovery of reasonable attorney’s fees to help the victims of employment discrimination get the legal help they need. Compensatory damages can include:
- Lost income
- Out of pocket expenses
- Costs related to proving the discharge
Experienced New Jersey Employment Rights Attorneys
Our team at Costello, Mains & Silverman, LLC, has decades of experience trying employment law cases. We are committed to protecting the rights of workers against all forms of discrimination. Our lawyers work hard, in and out of the courtroom, to make sure that New Jersey workers are not abused by their employers. If your employer has violated your rights based on wage garnishment, we can help you. Schedule a free case review by calling 866-944-3371 or contact us online.