A New Jersey employment contract is a legally binding document that outlines the terms and conditions of a worker’s employment. An employment contract will detail elements such as the financial compensation the employee will receive, the frequency with which they will be paid, and the length of the employment.
A New Jersey employment contract must contain an offer, acceptance, consideration, mutual assent and intent to be bound, and reasonably certain contract terms [1] .
- Laws: Title 34
- Definition of Employee: According to N.J. Stat. § 43:21-19, an employee is any individual who performs services for an employer as defined in the state’s Unemployment Compensation Law.
By Type
Independent Contractor Agreement
Establishes the terms and expectations for a contractor-client relationship.
Subcontractor Agreement
Creates the expectations for a relationship between an independent contractor and a subcontractor.
Non-Compete Agreement
Allows an employer to protect a company's information by limiting the activities an employee can engage in.
Hiring in New Jersey
You need to know New Jersey’s labor laws and regulations before you start writing a New Jersey employment contract:
At-Will Employment
New Jersey is an at-will employment state. There are also exceptions to the at-will employment rules.
Exceptions
- Public Policy: Yes
- Implied Contract: Yes
- Good-Faith Exception: No
Minimum Wage ($/hr)
The minimum wage for most employees in New Jersey is $14.13. This rate is valid through December 31, 2023. Then, a scheduled rate increase to $15.13 will become effective [2] .
Child Labor
In New Jersey, employment certificates are required for minors under 18 [3] .
Age certification is not required. However, upon an employer’s request, an age certificate must be provided for employees between 18 and 21 years old.
Payday
New Jersey requires employers to pay employees at least semi-monthly. Bona fide executives, supervisors, and other special classifications of employees may be paid once per month.
Meal and Rest Breaks
New Jersey does not have any requirements for minimum paid rest or meal periods.
Recordkeeping Requirements
New Jersey employers are required to keep certain types of records [4] , including:
- Child Labor: 1 year for records of workers between 18 and 19, indefinitely for workers under 18
- Unemployment Insurance: 4 years
- Health and Safety/Workers’ Compensation: Indefinitely
- Employee Records: 5 years
Sample
Below, you can download a New Jersey employment contract template in PDF or Word format.
