Labor Violations Halt Parsippany's Parq Housing Project

PARSIPPANY, NJ — The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) has halted construction on one of Parsippany's new housing developments due to multiple violations of workers' rights.

Parq Life Reimagined is constructing a cluster of buildings to replace office buildings that were demolished last year at the Lanidex East office park off Parsippany Road. The project is situated at the crossroads of Routes 287 and 80.

Earlier this spring, Haytham Haidar, Managing Partner of PARQ, stated that construction on the redevelopment project was well underway.

But last week, the Division of Wage and Hour and Contract Compliance revealed that it had issued a citation to Ultimate Framing LLC of Newark as a result of a site visit in June, during which investigators allegedly heard employees claim to be receiving cash payments.

"Workers indicated they were being paid in cash without statutory deductions and not receiving pay stubs, and none mentioned being afforded earned sick leave," NJDOL said in a statement.

As a result, the agency has issued a stop-work order while the investigation continues. NJDOL stated that Ultimate Framing has requested a hearing.

Stop-work orders are issued by the NJDOL to halt work that exploits workers or is otherwise in violation of state laws and regulations. A stop-work order may be appealed by an employer, in which case the NJDOL has seven days to schedule a hearing.

The department has issued 110 stop-work orders since Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation granting the state the authority to issue such sanctions if an initial worksite investigation reveals "sufficient violations."

The NJDOL has stated that they will continue to monitor locations where stop-work orders have been issued and that employers who violate the order face civil penalties of $5,000 per day.

The stop-work order may be lifted if all outstanding back wages and penalties are paid and all related issues are resolved.

• Read more: Buildings Rise At Parsippany's 45-Acre Redevelopment Construction Site

The Parq project is one of several large redevelopment projects in Parsippany. The developers of the project have stated that the massive undertaking will usher in a new era for Morris County. Township officials previously noted that the new housing developments will help Parsippany reduce its number of vacant office buildings.

The first phase of the PARQ project, which is currently under construction, will include 275 multi-family residences, indoor and outdoor amenity spaces, and parking. There will also be 75 two-car garage courtyard townhomes, an athletic field, a concession building, restrooms, and a playground.