Your resource for current news, policies and helpful updates impacting New Jersey businesses.

Record NJSTEP Funding for NJ Companies

The NJBAC Office of Export Promotion was recently awarded $900,000 in funding for the NJ State Trade Expansion Program (NJSTEP), the most in state program history. The funds assist New Jersey small businesses looking to engage in international trade by offsetting costs associated with expanding exports, and they are administered on a first-come, first-serve basis to those who are eligible. (If you missed our webinar on exporting last month, you can still access the recording here.)

Apply to NJSTEP Here

Clarifying Guidelines for Employers and Contractors

There have been many inquiries about the State's distinction between full-time employees and contractors. New statutes for the New Jersey Unemployment Compensation Law regarding terms for each have been announced to assist employers in determining which is which. Employers not in compliance with the provisions can face significant consequences, so to further aid in determining the status of various workers, a Worker Classification Questionnaire is now available for employer use. 

Read More Here

Reforming Family Leave Act

Recent provisions to the New Jersey Family Leave Act are now in effect for small businesses. FLA was previously only applied to employers with 50 or more employees, but recent changes have resituated the minimum to 30 employees. The act will require small businesses to protect employment status for 12 weeks for individuals taking time off to care for a newborn or sick family member. The expansion of the law to include smaller businesses is part of New Jersey's continuous efforts towards creating an employee-friendly environment.

New Updates Here

Is Your Website ADA Compliant?

A recent media report suggests that businesses--especially small businesses where legal fees can be crippling--are at risk of being sued for not having ADA compliant websites. Have you considered if yours is compliant? The ADA requires businesses of all sizes to meet standards designed to remove barriers, whether they be physical, technological, or service-oriented, in efforts to better serve disabled peoples. Examples of such standards include websites that are coded to allow for screen-reader software, inclusion of text when audio is used, and drop-down menus accessible through keyboards.

Read More Here

Don't Forget: Upcoming Business Symposium

Ever wonder how to navigate financial hardships while still pushing for business growth? Join NJBAC Executive Director, Melanie Willoughby, at the Rutgers Business School for their Business Community Engagement Symposium on October 29. The event will offer strategies and advice from industry experts in fields ranging from banking to law on how to best grow your company. 

Register for Symposium Here