In a move aimed at transforming the state government into a more agile and responsive entity, Gov. Mikie Sherrill announced the launch of a comprehensive, statewide employee survey. The initiative, led by the Chief Operating Officer’s Office and the Civil Service Commission, marks the first time New Jersey has undertaken such an expansive effort to gather data-driven insights directly from its workforce.
The survey is being distributed to employees across all state agencies and authorities, seeking to establish a baseline of the current “workforce experience.” The ultimate goal is to identify systemic hurdles and provide state employees with the support needed to deliver higher-quality, more efficient services to New Jersey residents.
The announcement follows the governor’s recent appearance at the State Employee Recognition Day Awards Ceremony. During the event, Sherrill emphasized that a high-performing government is impossible without a supported workforce.
“New Jersey’s state workforce is at the heart of everything we do,” Sherrill said. “If we want to make government more responsive, more efficient, and more focused on delivering results for residents, we need to invest in the people who make that work possible. This survey is about listening and understanding what our employees need to succeed.”
The survey will remain open for two weeks, targeting executive branch employees. To ensure honest feedback, all responses are strictly anonymous and confidential. The administration has tapped the Heldrich Center for Workforce Development at Rutgers University to administer the survey and analyze the resulting data.
The survey focuses on five critical areas:
- Workplace Experience: General culture and daily environment.
- Job Satisfaction: Overall morale and engagement.
- Resources and Technology: Identifying gaps in the tools needed to perform modern government tasks.
- Career Growth: Evaluating existing training and promotion pipelines.
- Service Delivery: Employees’ self-assessment of their ability to effectively serve the public.
“This effort reflects a commitment to using data and employee voice to inform future initiatives,” Andrea Hetling, associate director of the Heldrich Center said. “By understanding what employees experience day to day, New Jersey is taking an important step toward building a stronger public sector workforce.”
The initiative is a cornerstone of the Sherrill Administration’s broader economic and operational strategy to position New Jersey State government as one of the region’s premier employers. By competing with the private sector for top talent, the administration hopes to drive long-term reforms that make state services more user-friendly for residents and businesses alike.
“Public service is about people, and that starts with supporting the workforce,” Mary Cruz, acting chair and CEO of the New Jersey Civil Service Commission said. “This survey will give employees a meaningful opportunity to help shape how we strengthen the workplace and deliver better outcomes.”
Once the two-week window closes, the Heldrich Center will provide both statewide insights and agency-specific data to help department heads implement near-term improvements.
