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New Jersey Senate Passes Temporary Worker Bill of Rights


Last Thursday, the New Jersey Senate voted 21 - 16 in favor of passage of S511, the Temporary Worker Bill of Rights.

Advocates of the legislation had long championed it as vital to workers in the state, despite fierce opposition from business groups.  Business groups criticized the legislation over claims it would unnecessarily drive up costs and force companies to move out of the state.

As for the key portions of the legislation itself, S511 provides temporary workers in the state with the right to basic information in English and their native language in regard to where they will be working, their pay rate, their work schedule, the type of work they will be performing, and how much sick leave they would be entitled to receive.

S511 further eliminates many of the fees that temp agencies deduct from workers’ pay, including mandatory fees for things such as vans which shuttle workers to their job sites.

In addition, temporary workers would be guaranteed to earn at least the minimum wage rate after fees are deducted from their paychecks by a temp agency.  Temp agencies would be required to pay these temporary workers the same as a full time worker.

Notably, a vote on S511 had been delayed three times with Democrats in the Senate not having enough support to pass the legislation.  While Governor Phil Murphy had previously vetoed a version of this legislation, it is expected he will sign off on the bill when it reaches his desk.


For a copy of S511:  https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2022/S511

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