As of fiscal year 2004, the State of New Jersey has two performance appraisal programs. The Performance Assessment Review (PAR) and the Performance Evaluation System (PES) are both designed to help managers and supervisors communicate with employees about their performance, monitor job satisfaction, and plan employee development. In each program, an employee executes an annual performance agreement, with reviews after six months and at the end of the rating year. The agreements and reviews link employee performance with agency objectives and encourage employee development planning.

The PAR program provides several different assessment models designed to meet agency and employee needs, and offers a menu of performance factors and a three-tier rating scale for managers, non-aligned supervisors, and non-aligned line employees. This program continues to feature pay-for-performance for managers, when funding allows. A copy of the PAR Handbook [pdf] is available online.

The PES program provides only one model for aligned supervisors and aligned employees in AFSCME, CWA and IFPTE bargaining units offering a set number of Universal Performance Factors. This Pass/Fail model was created to remove perceived subjectivity or favoritism in the performance appraisal process. A copy of the PES Handbook [pdf] is available online.