Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order Establishing Equity and Sustainability Advisory Council to Develop Policy for State Workforce

Statement

To expand on this Administration's efforts to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in New Jersey's State workforce, Governor Phil Murphy today signed Executive Order No. 319, which establishes an Equity and Sustainability Advisory Council and requires each of the principal Cabinet departments to designate a senior-level employee to perform the functions of Chief Diversity Officer and serve as a liaison to the Council. The Governor announced the signing of the Executive Order at his and First Lady Tammy Murphy's annual Black History Month Celebration at Drumthwacket surrounded by prominent community and faith leaders, state legislators, and activists.

The Equity and Sustainability Advisory Council is charged with developing a Statewide Equity Infrastructure Policy to achieve increased equity within the State government workforce. The Council will have the ability to request a State agency to provide information or other assistance necessary to meet its obligations under the Executive Order, including but not limited to, data regarding the measures, activities, and benchmarks relied upon to effectuate the goals of the Statewide Equity Infrastructure Policy.

"Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging is essential to the success of any organization, especially that of our State workforce which serves the residents of the most diverse State in the nation," said Governor Murphy. "It takes all of us, working together, to improve the lives of the people of our state. Through this Executive Order, the Equity and Sustainability Advisory Council will support the Administration's ongoing commitment to position New Jersey as the State of Opportunity, one where the state workforce, and the programs and services they oversee, better reflect the diverse population they serve."

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