As discussed in our previous article, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) has presented a number of new administrative and operational challenges to employers. As was the case with the FFCRA, the Department of Labor (DOL) has released guidance to help answer...
Proposed Federal Legislation to Provide Emergency FMLA Leave and Two Weeks of Paid Sick Leave
We received many questions from clients over the weekend about the emergency bill addressing FMLA and paid sick leave passed by the House on Saturday, March 14. While the Senate has not yet taken up the measure, emergency measures in some form are expected to pass...
Reminder to Public Employers: Health Plan disclosures due to State October 1
Municipal and Board of Education employers may have recently received an email from the State Comptroller reminding them that the deadline to comply with new legislation requiring submission of certain information regarding employee health plans to the State is fast...
Minimum Wage bill passes
Last night, the State Senate approved increasing Connecticut’s minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2023 and the bill is headed to the Governor’s desk. Under the bill, minimum wage increases to $11 per hour effective October 1, 2019 and then incrementally by one dollar...
My Employees Want to participate in a National Strike, What are My Options?
A new tide of political involvement has swept the nation after the election of President Donald Trump. Groups of people are marching, participating in Town hall rallies, and organizing at the grass roots level at an unprecedented rate. Recently, the group that...
Recent EEOC Decision Highlights the Importance of Dealing with Third Party Harassment
A recent judgment awarded $250,000 in compensatory damages (including emotional distress) resulting from an employer’s inaction against a customer who for more than a year engaged in a pattern of harassment including inappropriately touching the employee and stalking....
Connecticut Supreme Court Bolsters Employee Free Speech Claim
In a decision that marks a clear departure from national case law, the Connecticut Supreme Court recently expanded the protection of employees who speak out against their employers. In Trusz v. UBS Realty Investors the Connecticut Supreme Court rejected the standard...
Connecticut Mandates Sexual Harassment Training for Supervisors – Are You in Compliance?
Employers with 50 or more employees in Connecticut must provide sexual harassment training to supervisors within six months of the individual assuming a supervisory position. While other employers are not mandated to provide such training, it is strongly encouraged...
Two Significant Changes to Law Surrounding Internships
Connecticut employers need to be aware of two significant changes in the law surrounding internships. The first is a new state statute including unpaid interns in the protections afforded to employees with respect to discrimination and harassment. Employers should...
New Law Will Restrict Employer’s From Accessing Applicants Facebook Page
The Connecticut General Assembly recently passed Senate Bill No. 426 (2015) titled “An Act Concerning Employee Online Privacy.” This new law will prohibit employers from requiring employees or applicants to: (1) provide their user name and password or any other...