Change in the Statute for NJ

Over the July 4, 2010 holidays, the NJ Legislature, have amended the unemployment statute, to increase the waiting period for receipt of benefits from five to seven weeks for those discharge for misconduct in connection with work, and more importantly established a new classification, known as severe misconduct, which will now result in a permanent disqualification from benefits-examples of severe misconduct include but are not necessarily limited to things like repeated violations of employer's rules; repeated lateness or absences after a written warning; misuse of sick time or benefits or abuse of leave. Formerly, a permanent disqualification occurred only in cases of gross misconduct which primarily involved criminal activity.