22 Temporary Employment Firms Weren't Registered In NJ, Must Pay $62K: Officials

NEW JERSEY— Twenty-two employment and staffing service firms who reportedly operated without registering in New Jersey will pay a total of $62,000 after a state investigation, officials said.

Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division of Consumer Affairs announced the settlement Thursday, after a DCA investigation into whether the businesses violated consumer protection laws and regulations — which included the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act, and regulations governing personnel services.

The 22 firms offered services ranging from "executive-level employment placements to hourly labor assignments," Platkin said. They each agreed to resolve the investigation, and were assessed civil penalties ranging from $2,000 to $8,000 each, Platkin said. Related article — NJ Temp Worker 'Bill Of Rights' Survives Court Challenge

Officials said two of the businesses were operating as temporary help service firms, providing temporary workers on their payroll to employers on temporary work assignments.

The other 20 were consulting and temporary help service firms, "which procure interviews for job seekers with prospective employers and for prospective employers with job seekers," said officials.

“Firms doing business in New Jersey must comply with the laws in place to protect the public and ensure compliance with industry standards, and that begins with being properly registered,” Platkin said.

Passaic, Bergen, and Somerset counties had the highest number of businesses on the list, with four each. Several of the agencies had multiple locations, with three having out-of-state offices as well, officials said.

The 22 agencies agreed to register their businesses within 30 days of the settlement, said Platkin.

The agencies also agreed to comply with all applicable state and federal laws, to stop engaging "in any unfair or deceptive acts or practices," and maintain annual registration, officials said.

Below are the 22 agencies assessed for civil penalties, a link to the consent order filed with their settlements, and where the agencies have locations, per the New Jersey Attorney General's Office:

• Alliance Sourcing Network, Wayne (Passaic Co.)
• ATRIA Consulting, Hamilton (Mercer Co.)
• Coda Staffing, Paramus (Bergen Co.)
• Expert Hiring, Bridgewater (Somerset Co.)
• Freedom Specialty Services, Westville (Gloucester Co.)
• Haley Stuart Group, Montvale (Bergen Co.)
• Horizon America, Vineland, Willingboro, and Iselin (Cumberland, Burlington, and Middlesex Cos.)
• Hudson IT Consultancy, Hoboken (Hudson Co.)
• HW Staffing, Taunton, Mass.
• Monroe Staffing Services, Shelton, Conn.
• NICSAM Personnel, Clifton (Passaic Co.)
• Northeast Talent Solutions, Passaic and West New York (Passaic and Hudson Cos.)
• Professional Search Network, Parsippany (Morris Co.)
• Renner Brown, Edison (Middlesex Co.)
• Sharplink Staffing, Audubon and Vineland (Camden and Cumberland Cos.)
• Specialty Staffing, Mahwah (Bergen Co.)
• Staff Right Solutions, Paterson and Bound Brook (Passaic and Somerset Cos.)
• Stonehenge Resources, Bedminster (Somerset Co.)
• Swipejobs, Plainfield and Somerset (Union and Somerset Cos.)
• Uniforce Staffing Solutions, Paramus (Bergen Co.)
• Warehouse Labor, Plainfield (Union Co.)
• Workflex/ MVP Staffing, Elizabeth, Trenton, and Vineland (Union, Mercer, and Cumberland Cos.); as well as Deerfield, Ill.

Platkin said the fines announced today "send a clear message" that the state will not tolerate "skirting the registration process and unlawfully operating outside of the Division’s regulation and oversight."

Cari Fais, acting director of the Division of Consumer Affairs, said the DCA will continue to investigate and take action against unregistered firms "to bring them into compliance."