N.J. Stat. tit. 34, ch. 12

in effect

N.J. Stat. § 34:12-1 Combinations to persuade others as to employment not unlawful

It shall not be unlawful for any two or more persons to unite, combine or bind themselves by oath, covenant, agreement, alliance or otherwise, to persuade, advise or encourage, by peaceable means, any person or persons to enter into any combination for or against leaving or entering into the employment of any person.

N.J. Stat. § 34:12-2 Employer shall not require renouncement of membership in society or brotherhood as condition of employment

No corporation doing business in this state shall, directly or indirectly, require, as a condition of employment of labor in any branch of its service, that any applicants for employment shall, either individually or collectively, be required to sign any paper, document, or writing of any description, by which an obligation is made or implied of renouncing existing membership in an organization, society or brotherhood, or by which a promise is given of not joining such organization at any future time.

N.J. Stat. § 34:12-3 Employer shall not require employees to renounce membership in or refrain from joining society or brotherhood

No corporation doing business in this state shall require directly or indirectly that any individuals shall either individually or collectively, in any manner promise to renounce existing membership in a lodge, brotherhood, or labor organization of any kind, or promise to refrain from joining any such lodge, brotherhood, or organization at any future time.

N.J. Stat. § 34:12-4 Penalty

Any violation of either section 34:12-2 or section 34:12-3 of this title shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars or three months' imprisonment, or both, as the court may direct.

N.J. Stat. § 34:12-5 Contracts against membership in labor unions or employers' organizations void

Every contract, agreement, promise or undertaking whether written or oral, express or implied between an employer and employee or prospective employee whereby either party promises or agrees not to join, become or remain a member of any organization or combination of employers or employees, or to withdraw from an employment relation in the event that he join, become or remain a member of any such organization or combination is declared to be contrary to public policy and wholly void and shall not provide or afford any basis for legal or equitable relief in any court.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-activity/statutesFetched: 10/17/2026