Complaints

The New Jersey State Policy

The New Jersey State Policy Prohibiting Discrimination in the Workplace (State Policy) prohibits discrimination and harassment against State employees, prospective State employees, and persons doing business with the State of New Jersey on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex (including pregnancy), marital/civil union status, familial status, religion, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, genetic information, liability for service in the Armed Forces of the United States, or disability (including mental disability, and perceived disability).

New Jersey State Policy Prohibiting Discrimination in the Workplace (pdf).

Confidentiality and Retaliation

All complaints and investigations shall be handled in a confidential manner to the extent possible. To the extent practical and appropriate under the circumstances, confidentiality will be maintained throughout the investigative process. In the course of an investigation, it may be necessary to discuss the claims with the person(s) against whom the complaint was filed and other persons who may have relevant knowledge or who have a legitimate need to know about the matter. In order to protect the integrity of the investigation, minimize the risk of retaliation and protect the important privacy interest of all concerned, all persons who are interviewed or otherwise advised of a complaint will be requested not to discuss any aspect of the investigation with others, unless there is a legitimate business reason. This Policy also prohibits retaliation against anyone who files a complaint or participates in a complaint investigation.

New Jersey State Confidentiality Form (pdf)

Who can file

Any employee, job applicant, or other individual doing business with a New Jersey State department, agency, commission, college, or university may file a complaint of discrimination or harassment with the EEO/AA Officer of the State entity in which the alleged discrimination/harassment occurred.

If there is a conflict of interest, the complaint may be filed with the Division of EEO/AA. In addition to filing an internal complaint, individuals have the right to file complaints simultaneously with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and/or the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights (DCR). Please be advised that both agencies have time limits for filing complaints. For more information, please visit their websites: www.eeoc.gov and www.njoag.gov/about/divisions-and-offices/division-on-civil-rights-home/.

photo: office meeting, professional people by a long table

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is responsible for enforcing all of the above federal laws. You can visit their website at www.eeoc.gov.


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