Office of EEO/AA & Ethics

Equal Employment Opportunity

What are some of the key duties and responsibilities of the Equal Employment Opportunity Officer (“EEO Officer”)?

The EEO Officer plays a critical role in ensuring that all employees and applicants for employment with the State of New Jersey work in an environment free from all forms of employment discrimination in accordance with the State of New Jersey's Policy Prohibiting Discrimination in the Workplace.

New Jersey State Policy Prohibiting Discrimination in the Workplace

The EEO Officer and/or their designee addresses allegations of discrimination, harassment and retaliation in the workplace that are based on individuals belonging to and/or affiliation with a protected class.

Protected class includes an individual’s race, creed, color, national origin, nationality, ancestry, age, sex, pregnancy or breastfeeding, religion, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, genetic information, liability for military service, civil union status or domestic partnership status, and mental or physical disability (including perceived disability, and AIDS and HIV status).

The EEO Officer conducts proactive and reactive training related to EEO matters. Provides information to the Civil Service Commission in response to inquiries about investigations conducted by the EEO Officer and/or their designee.

Civil Service Commission Standard Operating Procedure Discrimination Complaint Processing, Investigation and Appeal Processes
CSC Standard Operating Procedure

Civil Service Commission Discrimination Complaint Processing Form
Discrimination Complaint Processing Form

State Laws

New Jersey Civil Union Act
Effective February 19, 2007, the law provides for the legal recognition of a civil union established by two eligible individuals of the same sex. Parties to a civil union are entitled to the same benefits and protections, and are subject to the same responsibilities as spouses in a legal marriage.
https://pub.njleg.gov/bills/2006/PL06/103_.HTM

New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD)
The LAD prohibits unlawful employment discrimination and harassment based on an individual's race, creed, color, national origin, nationality, ancestry, age, sex, pregnancy or breastfeeding, religion, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, genetic information, liability for military service, civil union status or domestic partnership status,  and mental or physical disability (including perceived disability, and AIDS and HIV status).
https://www.njoag.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/NJ-Law-Against-Discrimination.pdf

New Jersey Domestic Partnership Act
This law went into effect on July 10, 2004. It protects same-sex couples who have entered into domestic partnerships and heterosexual couples over the age of 62 under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination. It also affords those covered with various tax, health, pension and retirement benefits.
https://pub.njleg.gov/bills/2002/pl03/246_.htm

New Jersey Conscientious Employee Protection Act (CEPA)
CEPA prohibits employers from taking adverse employment actions against employees who disclose, object to, or refuse to participate in certain actions that the employee reasonably believes to be either illegal or in violation of public policy.
https://www.nj.gov/labor/wageandhour/assets/PDFs/Employer%20Poster%20Packet/CEPA270.1.pdf

Diane B. Allen Equal Pay Act
The Equal Pay Act within the LAD generally prohibits an employer from paying any employee who is a member of a protected class less than what it pays an employee who is not a member of that protected class for “substantially similar work.”
https://www.nj.gov/oag/dcr/downloads/DCR-Equal-Pay-Guidance-3.2.20.pdf

Federal Laws

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
Prohibits employment discrimination based upon an individual’s race, color, sex, religion, or national origin.
https://www.eeoc.gov/statutes/title-vii-civil-rights-act-1964

Pregnancy Discrimination Act
Prohibits discrimination based upon pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. The Act applies to employers with 15 or more employees, including state and local governments. This Act requires that women who are pregnant, or affected by related conditions, must be treated in the same manner as other applicants or employees with similar abilities or limitations.
https://www.eeoc.gov/statutes/pregnancy-discrimination-act-1978

The Age Discrimination In Employment Act of 1967
Prohibits employment discrimination against individuals ages 40 and over.
https://www.eeoc.gov/statutes/age-discrimination-employment-act-1967

Equal Pay Act of 1963
Protects women and men performing equal work in the same establishment from sex-based wage discrimination (including fringe benefits).
https://www.eeoc.gov/statutes/equal-pay-act-1963

Title I and Title V of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)
Prohibits employment discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities.
https://www.eeoc.gov/statutes/titles-i-and-v-americans-disabilities-act-1990-ada#:~:text=Title%20I%20of%20the%20ADA,Title%20V%20contains%20miscellaneous%20provisions.&text=discrimination%20on%20the%20basis%20of%20disability.

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Ethics Information

What are some of the key duties and responsibilities of the Ethics Liaison Officer (“ELO”)?
The ELO plays a critical role in enforcing the State’s ethics provisions by ensuring that agency employees and officers are aware of and comply with State ethics laws, regulations, the Uniform Ethics Code and ethics related Executive Orders.

The ELO ensures that all employees receive required ethics documents, complete necessary disclosure forms and undergo mandatory ethics training.

The ELO also functions as the ethics gatekeeper for the agency by providing ethics advice and guidance and reviewing documents and programs to ensure that agency employees and officers comply with all applicable ethics provisions. These proactive steps help employees and agencies avoid violating State ethics provisions.

Uniform Ethics Code
The Uniform Ethics Code (UEC) was created pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:13D-23. The UEC governs and guides the conduct of State officers and employees and Special State officers and employees (collectively, State officials) of the Executive Branch of State government.

• New Jersey Uniform Code of Ethics

Plain Language Guide
The Plain Language Guide to New Jersey’s Executive Branch Ethics Standards was created pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:13D-21(o). The Plain Language Guide provides a clear and concise summary of Executive Branch ethics standards.

• Plain Language Guide