New Jersey - Jury Duty Employer Obligations

In New Jersey, employers are required to provide you with unpaid time off for reporting to jury selection or jury duty. You may have to show your employer your jury summons in order to be given the necessary leave.

Your employer can never punish you for missing work to attend jury duty. However, if missing work would cause your employer undue hardship, it may be considered as an acceptable jury duty excuse.

Any full time State employee is entitled to receive usual compensation for each day they are present for jury service in lieu of any payment for juror service.

No provision for privately employed persons to receive paid leave for jury duty.

You will receive a nominal jury duty payment from the State of New Jersey for each day you serve on a jury, as well as potential reimbursements for travel expenses. However, jury duty pay tends to be a token amount rather than actual compensation.

No employer shall penalize or threaten or otherwise coerce an employee with respect to their employment, because the employee is fulfilling jury service obligations.

You should be sure to show your employer your New Jersey jury duty summons letter when you receive it, and update them with your jury duty dates if you are assigned to a trial, to ensure that you receive your mandatory time off.

The employer may be found guilty of a disorderly persons offense, which is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 or up to 6 months of imprisonment, or both.

The discharged employee may, within 90 days or after completion of jury service (whichever is later), bring a civil action for recovery of economic damages and a reinstatement order. Successful employee shall be entitled to a reasonable attorney's fee as fixed by the court.

If you have been punished for missing work due to jury duty, contact the joror office of the court that summoned you, and they will assist in ensuring that your rights are protected.