John Sarno, President of the Employers Association of New Jersey (EANJ), will be leaving his position at the end of 2023 to pursue other professional and academic opportunities. Hired in 1995, he is only the third chief executive in the organization’s 107-year history. EANJ’s board announced a search for a new chief executive in November.
Sarno has been recognized for his energetic and creative support of employers and development of multi-stakeholder initiatives. His work has centered on employment law, labor standards, management training, and public policy. During his tenure, he trained thousands of managers and supervisors across various sectors including manufacturing, nonprofit agencies, universities, municipalities, financial institutions, and healthcare.
He also taught management, law, ethics, and public policy at several universities. A student on his LinkedIn profile stated: “John Sarno is everyone’s favorite professor! His ability to teach and engage students is unmatched. He’s passionate and extremely knowledgeable about public policy & history and is able to tie back to economic impacts. Both fun and challenging.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sarno served on the Governor’s Task Force on Small Business and as a member of HealthyNJ. He delivered bi-monthly webinars attended by over one thousand employers and led the publication of a comprehensive report on employer policies.
Sarno led an expert staff advising employers on labor issues while providing workplace training. An employer-member noted: “John was an excellent business partner. He helped us design and implement Executive level training on legal issues which collectively guided the Company to achieve great results.”
Sarno participated in legislative processes affecting employment law in New Jersey with significant cases such as Aguas v. State of New Jersey establishing an employer's affirmative defense in harassment suits; Carrone v. UnitedHealth upholding employment arbitration; Maw v. Advanced Clinical Communications supporting non-competition agreements.
Throughout his career at EANJ headquartered in Essex County, Sarno published extensively on employment law topics while positioning himself as a thought leader in public policy despite initial challenges with Trenton's insular environment.
Sarno highlighted differences between small businesses' approach to labor regulations compared to larger employers'. “While every employer is a business,” he says,“not every business is an employer.” He noted that small businesses often ignore labor regulations whereas larger ones aim for compliance or strategic positioning.
Under Barack Obama’s presidency followed by Phil Murphy's governorship in New Jersey,Sarno provided leadership on labor standards worker protections,and healthcare reform.His contributions during this period were substantial especially regarding Affordable Care Act implementation.He became known for applying behavioral science research towards improving workplace culture focusing on organizational performance creating healthy teams,and publishing works like Transforming Workplace Culture: Ethics,Diversity,and Innovation.
Despite facing setbacks such as bankruptcy filing by EANJ-sponsored multiple employer healthcare plan during pandemic leading loss two-thirds membership,Sarno viewed crisis leadership experience positively enhancing understanding work-life balance importance.During this time he published Better Work For More People advocating meaningful jobs essential mental health healthy communities functioning democracy.His post-pandemic leadership addressed top concerns around mental health burnout morale among employers steering association sustainable path supporting staff through difficult times remains proudest accomplishments
A multiemployer retirement savings plan formed under his leadership may prove lasting achievement reflecting trust loyalty necessary thriving membership-driven organization.Sarno received recognition from Community Health Law Project,NJ Business Industry Association Joint Legislative Resolution honoring lifelong commitment advancing equal rights opportunities people disabilities contribution betterment common good
As Distinguished Executive-in-Residence Rutgers Business School Newark working Jeana Wirtenberg Executive Director Rutgers Institute Corporate Social Innovation teaching mentoring students business leaders achieving corporate societal goals.Simultaneously joining Keith Miller law firm Newark advising council employment labor relations cases available workplace consultations.“I am overjoyed as I begin next chapter”he says“live work both sides brain”
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