in new jersey, can an employer direct an employee to log 40 hrs a week when they are working 75 plus hours?

no, unless you are an 'exempt' employee which does not have any hourly requirements.  however, you need to make sure that you do not lose your job. you could win the battle and lose the war.  ed dimon, esq.

Most answers in the legal world depend on the particulars of the circumstance and are complicated by convoluted case law. In this case however, the answer is a simple and straight-forward, no. If you would like to talk more about the specifics of your case, please give my office a call. Initial consultations are always free and believe it or not, I'm actually a pretty nice guy.   The Law Office of Robert Colby, LLC 73 Church Street New Brunswick, NJ 08901 www.robertcolbylaw.com (732) 609-3915 Admitted in New Jersey