Happy New Year from OlenderFeldman! As we head into 2026, New Jersey employers should be aware of an important administrative change that may affect how you receive unemployment-related notices and communicate with the State.
New Jersey is continuing its push to move employer interactions with the Department of Labor online, and there’s a new requirement that employers should not overlook.
The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development now expects employers subject to New Jersey unemployment insurance laws to register for Employer Access, an online portal used for unemployment-related communications and reporting. If you haven’t registered yet, now is the time.
What Is Employer Access?
Employer Access is NJDOL’s online system for employer unemployment insurance accounts. It replaces older platforms and is becoming the primary way the State communicates with employers about unemployment matters.
Through Employer Access, employers can view unemployment insurance contribution rates, account balances, and payment history, receive official notices electronically, submit Shared Work applications, and report issues such as employees refusing suitable work.
Who Needs to Register?
Most employers doing business in New Jersey that are required to file quarterly wage and contribution reports (Forms NJ-927 and WR-30) must register for Employer Access. In other words, if you have employees in New Jersey and pay unemployment insurance contributions, this new requirement applies to you.
Why Does This Matter?
The Department of Labor is moving away from paper correspondence. Important notices (including rate information and account updates) will now be delivered electronically through Employer Access.
Employers who are not registered risk missing time-sensitive communications that can affect contribution rates, benefits charges, and compliance obligations. We are also seeing increased enforcement around employer reporting responsibilities, and the State has made clear that electronic reporting will continue to expand.
What Employers Should Do Now
Employers should register for Employer Access as soon as possible and make sure the account is tied to a current, monitored business email address. You may also want to grant access to payroll staff or third-party administrators so nothing falls through the cracks. Taking a few minutes to register now can prevent much larger issues down the line.
For more information on Employer Access, unemployment insurance compliance, or how these changes affect your business, please contact the OlenderFeldman Employment Practices Group here.
