For Immediate Release

September 14, 2004

GILL MEASURE TO PROMOTE EMPLOYEE RIGHTS IS SIGNED INTO LAW

TRENTON - Legislation sponsored by Senator Nia H. Gill that requires employers to annually provide workers with notice of their rights under the "Conscientious Employee Protection Act," has been signed by the Governor and is now law.

"The ‘Conscientious Employee Protection Act' has provided protection for employees who report wrongdoing for eighteen years, but very few people are aware of their rights under the act," said Senator Gill. "The purpose of this legislation is to ensure that employees are aware of their rights, and to let them know that if they choose to speak up they are protected from retaliatory activities."

The bill, S-276, requires employers to provide their workers with annual written notice of any protections, obligations, procedures and rights afforded to them under the "Conscientious Employee Protection Act." The legislation further requires that the notices be posted in English and any other language spoken by the majority of employees in that workplace. Employers may obtain copies of the notices from the Commissioner of Labor.

S-276 received final legislative approval on June 24, 2004.