New Jersey Earned Sick Leave Poster in Paterson, New Jersey (2026)
Without the required New Jersey Earned Sick Leave Poster displayed in your Paterson restaurant, you risk fines and employee disputes over paid sick leave rights. You must obtain this poster, which satisfies a state law, from the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Key facts:
- 14 fields to complete — ApronPrep auto-fills 12
- $0–$0 government filing fee — the poster itself is free to download
- Processing timeline varies — immediate download, but you must post it promptly
This is also called a paid sick leave notice. Most applicants complete this in under 15 minutes with ApronPrep, which auto-fills 12 of 14 fields.
Analyzed from New Jersey Earned Sick Leave Poster
86% from one compliance interview
Manual entry or document upload required
Why You Need a New Jersey Earned Sick Leave Poster
As a restaurant owner in Paterson, you are required to display the New Jersey Earned Sick Leave Poster (official poster NJDOL-WP-325) as mandated by the New Jersey Earned Sick Leave Law (NJ P.L.2018, c.10). This state law, enforced by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL), requires all employers to provide and post clear notice of employees' rights to earned sick leave. While Paterson may have additional local ordinances, this state-level poster is a non-negotiable baseline. Failure to post is itself a violation, separate from any failure to correctly administer sick leave benefits.
The consequences for non-compliance are financial and legal, not just procedural. Based on the NJDOL's enforcement protocols and applicable statutes, penalties for wage and hour violations typically include:
- Civil money penalties levied by the NJDOL for each posting violation.
- Liability for back wages owed to employees for any sick leave improperly denied, plus potential treble (triple) damages if the violation is found to be willful.
- Increased risk of employee lawsuits and NJDOL investigations, which can trigger audits of other wage, hour, and payroll practices.
- Complications with business insurance and commercial lease compliance, as many agreements require adherence to all labor laws.
Legal code: State minimum wage law, earned sick time law, tip law, workplace poster statutes, prevailing wage law
Recent update: In 2026, the New Jersey Department of Labor confirmed that the existing Earned Sick Leave poster (NJDOL-WP-325) remains current, with no substantive changes to the required notice text.
Who Needs a New Jersey Earned Sick Leave Poster?
| Type | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant (Full-Service) | Required | Required as you have employees covered by the New Jersey Earned Sick Leave Law, which applies to nearly all employers in the state. |
| Bar / Nightclub | Required | Required as you have employees, and the law has no exemption for businesses that primarily serve alcohol. |
| Food Truck | Required | Required as you have employees, and mobile food vendors are covered under the statewide Earned Sick Leave Law. |
| Coffee Shop / Café | Required | Required as you have employees; there is no small business exemption based on number of employees under this law. |
See which restaurant types need this requirement — and which don't.
See Full Requirements →Field-by-Field Guide (14 Fields)
12 of 14 auto-filledBusiness has employees in New Jersey
booleanSelect 'Yes' if your restaurant employs any workers (including part-time, full-time, or seasonal) who perform work at a New Jersey location, as the Earned Sick Leave Law applies to virtually all private sector employees in the state.
COMMON MISTAKE: Selecting 'No' because you only have a few part-time employees; the law covers them, and answering incorrectly can mean you fail to post the required notice, leading to compliance violations.
New Jersey worksite addresses
textList the full street address, city, state, and ZIP code for every location within Paterson, NJ, where your employees work, as posters must be displayed at each worksite.
COMMON MISTAKE: Only listing the main restaurant address and omitting satellite locations like a secondary kitchen or office, which can result in fines for non-posting at all required sites.
Total number of NJ employees
numberEnter the total count of individuals you employ in New Jersey, including all staff regardless of hours worked, as this helps confirm the legal requirement applies to your business.
COMMON MISTAKE: Incorrectly counting only full-time staff and excluding part-time or seasonal workers, which underestimates your coverage under the law.
Official poster downloaded
booleanConfirm you have obtained the official 'Your Rights Under New Jersey's Earned Sick Leave Law' poster from the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development website.
COMMON MISTAKE: Downloading an outdated poster or one from a third-party site that doesn't contain the exact, legally mandated language and department contact information.
Poster downloaded as PDF
booleanConfirm the poster file is in PDF format to ensure it can be printed clearly at the required size (at least 8.5 x 11 inches) without distortion.
COMMON MISTAKE: Using a low-resolution image file or webpage screenshot that prints blurry or illegibly, failing the requirement for clear and conspicuous posting.
Non-English language requirement exists
booleanIndicate if Paterson's local ordinance or your workforce necessitates the poster be provided in a language other than English, as required if a significant portion of your employees are not proficient in English.
COMMON MISTAKE: Assuming only English is required when a city like Paterson may have specific multi-lingual posting rules, leading to non-compliance with local regulations.
Additional languages required
textIf applicable, specify which languages (e.g., Spanish) you need the poster in, based on your workforce demographics or local Paterson requirements.
COMMON MISTAKE: Leaving this blank when you have a known need, resulting in an incomplete compliance record and potential employee complaints.
Where poster will be displayed
textDescribe the exact physical locations within each worksite where the poster will be placed, such as 'employee break room bulletin board' or 'next to the time clock,' as required to be in a conspicuous area frequented by employees.
COMMON MISTAKE: Vaguely stating 'in the back' instead of a specific, visible location, which can be challenged during a Labor Department inspection.
Poster has been posted
booleanConfirm the official poster is physically posted at all required Paterson worksites, as compliance is triggered by display, not just possession of the document.
COMMON MISTAKE: Marking 'Yes' before actually posting, creating a false record; fines can be levied from the date the law applied to your business, not from when you eventually post.
All worksites have poster
booleanVerify that every New Jersey worksite address you listed has the required poster displayed, as the law mandates posting at each individual place of employment.
COMMON MISTAKE: Posting only at the main restaurant and forgetting a separate administrative office, leaving that location non-compliant and subject to penalties.
ApronPrep auto-fills 12 of 14 fields from a single compliance interview — no re-typing, no guessing what the government expects.
Top 5 New Jersey Earned Sick Leave Poster Mistakes
1. Using an Outdated Poster Template
Businesses download the generic NJ state poster from 2024, which doesn't include the 2026 Paterson-specific accrual rate and usage rules. This violates Paterson's Earned Sick Leave Ordinance § 157-10. The consequence is a fine of up to $2,000 for the first violation. To avoid, download the current model poster directly from the City of Paterson Division of Vital Statistics website or use ApronPrep's auto-populated version, which is updated for 2026.
2. Posting in an Inaccessible Location
Placing the poster in a back office or an employee-only online portal fails the 'conspicuous place' requirement. The consequence is a failure to provide notice, which can invalidate an employer's defense in a wage claim. To avoid, post the physical poster next to time clocks, break room bulletin boards, or other common areas, and ensure digital versions are on the company intranet homepage.
3. Incorrect Accrual Rate Calculation
Listing the state minimum of 1 hour per 30 worked, instead of Paterson's more generous 1 hour per 30 worked OR the front-loaded 40-hour option. This understates employee rights. The consequence is employee disputes and potential penalties for denying proper leave. To avoid, clearly state both accrual methods on your poster and specify which one your business uses, as required by the local ordinance.
Skip the Paperwork on Your New Jersey Earned Sick Leave Poster
ApronPrep auto-fills 12 of 14 fields from one compliance interview.
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New Jersey Earned Sick Leave Poster by City in New Jersey
| City | Fee Range | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Jersey City | ||
| Newark | ||
| Paterson |
Timeline: Varies (typically 2–4 weeks from start to display)
Review NJ State Poster Requirements
First, download the official New Jersey Earned Sick Leave Law poster (Form NJDOL-ESP) from the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) website. Verify you have the most recent 2026 version. The poster is a single-page document in English and Spanish that outlines employee rights to earn, request, and use sick leave. Most delays start with businesses posting an outdated or incomplete version from a third-party vendor.
Customize Required Employer Information
The state-issued poster has blank fields you must complete by hand or type before printing. You must insert your business name and the date you adopted your sick leave policy (or the date the poster is issued if you use the state's model policy). Gather your official legal business name exactly as it appears on your state business registration. Failure to fill in these fields is the most common compliance violation noticed during inspections.
Print and Post in Your Paterson Location
Print the completed poster on standard letter-size (8.5" x 11") paper. It must be displayed in a conspicuous place where all employees can easily see it, such as a common area, break room, or near time clocks. In Paterson, this is required by the New Jersey Earned Sick Leave Law (N.J.S.A. 34:11D-1 et seq.). You must post it alongside other required New Jersey labor posters (minimum wage, worker's compensation, etc.). Photograph the posted notice for your records.
Where to Apply
Applications go to the New Jersey department of labor. Local procedures and fees may vary — select your city below.
Other Requirements You'll Need
This is one of 13 requirements for opening a restaurant in New Jersey.
ADA Compliance Self-Certification
federal
Alarm System Permit/Registration
local
Annual Report Filing
state
Application for Employer Identification Number
federal
See all co-required forms and how they connect to your compliance dossier.
See All RequirementsProcessing for this compliance poster varies as it does not require an application filing or approval from a government agency. You must obtain, post, and maintain the poster from the moment you hire employees. For other permits with defined timelines, such as the City Business License/Registration, processing can take several weeks. Always verify with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development for official guidance.
There are no government filing fees for the Earned Sick Leave poster itself, as confirmed by the New Jersey Department of Labor. You must obtain the official poster, which the state provides free of charge. Note that other local requirements, like a Building Permit, carry significant fees. Not legal advice — verify with the NJDOL.
No. The poster is a state-mandated notice, not a location-specific permit. If you relocate your business within Paterson, you simply need to post the current version at your new address. However, a move often triggers other location-specific requirements, like a new Certificate of Occupancy, which must be transferred or reissued. Contact the Paterson Planning & Regulatory Services Division for relocation rules.
You do not renew the poster, but you must ensure you are displaying the most current version issued by the New Jersey Department of Labor. The state may update the poster's language if the law changes; you are responsible for replacing old posters promptly. This contrasts with annual renewals for permits like the Annual Report Filing for corporations. Monitor the NJDOL website for updates.
There is no dedicated inspection for this poster. Compliance is typically checked during broader workplace inspections by the NJDOL or as part of local health/safety audits. Inspectors will verify the poster is prominently displayed, current, and accessible to all employees. Failure to post can result in fines. For scheduled inspections related to other permits, like those for your Backflow Prevention Device Certification, preparation is key. Not legal advice.
About This Data
This guide is generated from ApronPrep's compliance dossier system, which uses 53 parallel AI authority experts to discover requirements, then downloads actual forms and generates field-level intelligence for each one.
For New Jersey specifically, we have analyzed compliance dossiers for 3 cities (Jersey City, Newark, Paterson), generating Rich FILs (Form Intelligence Layers) with 14 form fields analyzed for this requirement. Fee data is sourced from actual county department fee schedules, not estimates.
Our data is verified against official government sources and updated when regulatory changes are detected. If you find an error, please report it — accuracy is our core commitment.
Sources
- State minimum wage law, earned sick time law, tip law, workplace poster statutes, prevailing wage law
- Newark — Department of Labor / Labor Standards
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