New Jersey Enacts Ban the Box Law: Employment Law Manual, Chart Updated

Authors: David B. Weisenfeld and Melissa A. Silver, XpertHR Legal Editors

New Jersey has become the sixth state to enact a law banning most private employers from asking criminal background questions during the initial employment application process. Effective March 1, 2015, this "ban the box" law will apply to employers with 15 or more employees, as well as employment agencies.

Employers should note that the initial employment application process does not end until an employer has conducted a first job interview. The law includes substantial penalties for noncompliance but does not give aggrieved applicants the right to file a lawsuit.

The following New Jersey sections of the Employment Law Manual have been updated to reflect this development:

The chart Ban the Box Laws by State and Municipality also has been updated, and an entry has been added to the Legal Timetable.