N.J. Stat. § 11A:1-2

The Legislature finds and declares that: a. It is the public policy of this State to select and advance employees on the basis of their relative knowledge, skills and abilities; b. It is the public policy of this State to provide public officials with appropriate appointment, supervisory and other personnel authority to execute properly their constitutional and statutory responsibilities; c. It is the public policy of this State to encourage and reward meritorious performance by employees in the public service and to retain and separate employees on the basis of the adequacy of their performance; d. It is the public policy of this State to ensure equal employment opportunity at all levels of the public service; and e. It is the public policy of this State to protect career public employees from political coercion and to ensure the recognition of such bargaining and other rights as are secured pursuant to other statutes and the collective negotiations law. L. 1986, c. 112, s. 11A:1-2, eff. Sept. 25, 1986.