The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) has added seven businesses to its Workplace Accountability in Labor List (The WALL), bringing the total number of employers with unresolved liabilities for wage, benefit, or tax law violations to 168. These businesses collectively owe $323,745.25 in unpaid wages, fines, and penalties, including violations under the New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Law. The cumulative debt of all businesses on The WALL amounts to $17.2 million.
No businesses were removed from The WALL in May. To date, NJDOL has recovered over $480,000 from businesses listed on The WALL or those warned of potential listing if their liabilities were not resolved.
"The WALL is a powerful enforcement tool that enables the department to publicly name companies that shortchange their workers and skip required contributions to programs such as unemployment insurance and workers’ compensation," stated an NJDOL representative. Companies on the list have failed to settle their outstanding fines and fees with NJDOL and the Department of the Treasury.
Established through bipartisan action (S-4226) in 2020, The WALL aims to combat worker misclassification and exploitation. It empowers NJDOL to protect fair-minded businesses by penalizing those that undermine their workers for competitive advantage. Businesses listed on The WALL are prohibited from public contracting with state, county, or local governments until they settle their liabilities.
"The initiative was established...as part of an effort to combat worker misclassification and exploitation," noted an official statement.
Posting on The WALL is distinct from other accountability measures like public contractor debarment and business license suspension or revocation. State, county, municipal, and school procurement officers must check The WALL before awarding public contracts.
Businesses receive warning letters about potential listing on The WALL unless they address their liabilities within 20 days of notice receipt.
The WALL went live in September 2023 with additional violators added monthly.
For more information about The WALL or inquiries related to it, contact OSECInquiries@dol.nj.gov. A comprehensive FAQ is available at nj.gov/labor/wall.
