New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed into law a number of substantial changes to New Jersey’s unemployment compensation law last year. The amendments will take effect July 31.

For most employers, the critical takeaway from the new law will be two brand-new reporting obligations. Among the amendments is a new obligation for employers to provide the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) with required separation information any time an employer operating in New Jersey discharges an employee. Employers that fail or refuse to furnish the information may be liable for significant fines.

The NJDOL will provide employers with a new form containing directions that enumerate what specific information an employer must provide to the NJDOL electronically when it separates an employee. An immediate takeaway is that employers will be expected to submit separation information regardless of whether an unemployment claim for benefits is filed by the separated employee.

Additionally, employers will also be required to “immediately and simultaneously” send to the NJDOL a copy of the NJDOL’s Form BC-10 given to the separated employee. Employers have always needed to provide a BC-10 to separated employees, but were not previously required to submit this document to the NJDOL.

Source: New Jersey Employers Face Changes to Unemployment Compensation Law