Do not rush to sign a severance agreement after being fired. A severance offer may provide money, benefits, or a smoother exit, but it may also ask you to give up legal claims, accept restrictions, keep information confidential, or meet deadlines you do not fully understand. In New Jersey and Pennsy
Reviewed by Richard S. Swartz, Esq. | Updated April 2026 | Practice Areas: Wrongful Termination, Discrimination, Retaliation, FMLA Most people who reach out to us aren’t sure whether what happened crossed a legal line — they just know something doesn’t feel right. The timing was strange. The reason didn’t match the paper trail. Coworkers in…
You reported discrimination.You complained about unpaid wages.You raised concerns about harassment or illegal conduct. Then you were fired. If you were fired after filing a complaint in NJ, that may not be coincidence — and it may not be legal. New Jersey law strongly protects employees from retaliation. Termination after asserting your rights can form…
Being laid off is hard. Being laid off while pregnant can feel terrifying — especially when you’re worried about health insurance, income, and whether the decision was really about “business needs” or your pregnancy. In New Jersey, pregnancy is a protected characteristic, and employers are not allowed to target pregnant employees for layoffs, terminations, or…
The start of a new year often brings a period of re-evaluation for companies, and sometimes, unfortunate news for employees. If you suspect your employer is strategically building a case to terminate your employment, especially early in Q1, it can be an incredibly stressful and uncertain time. While New Jersey and Pennsylvania are “at-will”…
Retaliation at work isn’t just unfair—it’s illegal. Whether you reported discrimination, complained about unsafe conditions, or stood up for a coworker, the law protects you from punishment. Unfortunately, many employees still face backlash for doing the right thing. If you’ve been demoted, fired, harassed, or isolated after speaking up, it may be retaliation—and Swartz Swidler…
Introduction That gut-wrenching feeling of being suddenly out of a job is tough enough. But when it feels unfair, discriminatory, or just plain wrong, a wave of questions and anxieties can wash over you. Were you unjustly dismissed? Do you have grounds for a legal claim? If you’ve recently been terminated from your job in…
Introduction: Two Words, One Life-Changing Impact Losing your job is never easy. Whether you were told you were being “laid off” or “fired,” those few words can hit like a tidal wave—bringing confusion, fear, and uncertainty about what comes next. But here’s the thing: the difference between being laid off and being fired in New…
Introduction: “We’re Letting You Go.” Few words can shake your world quite like those. Whether it came out of nowhere or followed a tense period at work, being fired without cause in New Jersey can feel like a gut punch—especially when you have bills to pay, a family to support, and no clear explanation of…
Key Takeaways: Employers may try to fire employees before a bonus payout to avoid paying it. New Jersey law protects workers in certain situations, depending on company policies and contractual agreements. You may have legal options if your employer wrongfully withheld your bonus. Consulting an employment attorney can help you determine if you have a…