Public employees in New Jersey are getting more than they deserve in many cases when it comes to being paid for unused sick leave.
A study by the state of 60 cities and towns uncovered widespread violations.
“We found that 95% of the municipalities (we surveyed) had policies that violated the 2007 and 2010 laws,” said Acting State Controller Kevin Walsh.
“And a majority of the municipalities we looked at, a majority of the 60 and probably significantly more than that,” he said, “have already made unlawful payments, they’ve already wasted taxpayer funds.”
Those laws state that an employee hired after May 2010 can get a maximum of $15,000 for unused sick leave and only upon retirement.
Cities and towns in violation have until Sept. 30 to submit plans to the state that put them in compliance with the law.
Walsh said the municipalities commit violations in a number of ways. “They do it by making annual payments, if sick leave is not used a public employee can request a bonus check in exchange for trading in the sick leave. And we found that they agreed to make payments of over 15,000 dollars,” said Walsh.
Among the towns in violation — East and West Orange, Belleville and Verona. They have until Sept. 30 to change their local laws to comply with the state.