Employment Law Terms and Definitions

Affirmative Action Proactive action to accomplish the purposes of a program which is designed to increase the employment opportunities of certain groups, which may involve goals, timetables, or specifically outlined steps to be undertaken to assure that objectives are reached. Master agreements A contract between the employer and the exclusive bargaining representative. For collective bargaining, the employer is represented by the governor or the governor's designee. The LRO will negotiate contracts with each union that represents more than 500 employees. Affirmative Action Positive action to accomplish the purpose of a program designed to increase the employment opportunities of certain groups. It may involve goals, timetables, or specifically outlined steps to be undertaken to assure that objectives are reached. Individual with a Disability A person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of that person’s major life activities, has a record of such impairment, or who is regarded as having such an impairment. Curb Cut Also called a curb ramp, it is a depression built into the curb of a sidewalk to permit passage by a wheelchair. The incline should not exceed a gradient of 1:12 and the flat surface width should be no less than 4 feet wide. Job Coach A person hired by the placement agency or provided through the employer to furnish specialized on-site training to assist an employee with a disability in learning and performing a job and adjusting to the work environment. Equal Employment Opportunity Nondiscrimination in hiring, firing, compensation, promotion, recruitment, training, and other terms and conditions of employment regardless of race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin or disability. Undue Hardship With respect to the provision of an accommodation, significant difficulty or expense incurred by a covered entity, when considered in light of certain factors. These factors include the nature and cost of the accommodation in relation to the size, resources, nature, and structure of the employer's operation. Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act seeks to ensure that members of the uniformed services are entitled to return to their civilian employment upon completion of their active duty military service. Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) A variety of procedures for the resolution of disputes. Each ADR procedure is a fair and efficient alternative to court adjudication that must be entered into voluntarily by all parties.

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	Did You Know?
	Laws prohibit the termination of an employee in retaliation for filing a workers compensation claim The Workers’ Compensation statute in one state, NJSA 34:15-39.1 only prohibits the termination of an employee in retaliation for filing a workers compensation claim or for testifying at a workers’ compensation hearing. If you feel you were terminated for these reasons, one alternative is the filing of a discrimination complaint against your employer with the Division of Workers’ Compensation. Then contact our lawyers.