Tag Archives: Employment Law in Connecticut

Connecticut’s New Pay Equity Law

By C. Scott Schwefel

Effective, January 1, 2019, employers may no longer ask about an applicant’s salary history.  “An Act Concerning Pay Equity,” was signed into law on May 22, 2018 and prohibits an employer to inquire, or direct a third party to inquire, about a prospective employee’s wage and salary history. … Read More

New Connecticut Act Expands Protection For Pregnant Employees

By C. Scott Schwefel

On July 6, 2017, Governor Dannel P. Malloy signed into law Public Act No. 17-118, entitled “An Act Concerning Pregnant Women in the Workplace,” (the “Act”). The law, which is effective October 1, 2017, amends the Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act (“CFEPA”) to strengthen protection for pregnant employees.… Read More

Second Circuit Expands “Cat’s Paw” Theory of Liability

By:  C. Scott Schwefel

On August 29, 2016, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, in Vasquez v Empress Ambulance Service, Inc. (No 15-3239-cv), expanded the theory of employment discrimination liability generally referred to as the “cat’s paw” theory.    … Read More

Connecticut Supreme Court Clarifies Independent Contractor Test

By:  C. Scott Schwefel

On March 15, 2016, in Standard Oil of Connecticut, Inc. v. Administrator, Unemployment Compensation Act, the Connecticut Supreme Court held that installers/technicians providing services to residential heating and alarm system customers of Standard Oil of Connecticut were independent contractors and not employees.   … Read More

Second Circuit Affirms Ruling That Employees’ Disparaging Posts on Facebook Were Protected, Concerted Activities

By:  C. Scott Schwefel

On October 21, 2015, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, which encompasses the states of Connecticut, New York and Vermont, affirmed a decision by the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”) finding that an employee’s “liking” another employee’s disparaging comments, directed at their employer, is protected under the National Labor Relations Act (the “Act”).  … Read More

New Connecticut Law Prohibits Employer Ban on Disclosing Wages

By C. Scott Schwefel

On July 2, 2015, Governor Dannel P. Malloy signed into law Public Act No. 15196, entitled “An Act Concerning Pay Equity and Fairness.” The law, which is effective immediately, now prohibits employers from preventing employees from voluntarily sharing information about their wages and, further, prohibits an employer from requiring an employee to sign a waiver that denies the employee his or her right to share such information.… Read More

Connecticut Enacts Law Prohibiting Employers from Accessing Employee Online Accounts

By C. Scott Schwefel

On May 19, 2015, Governor Dannel P. Malloy signed into law an act prohibiting employers from requesting or requiring employees or job applicants to: (1) provide their user name and password, or any other means of access, to an employee’s personal online account; (2) access an online account in the employer’s presence; or (3) invite, or accept an invitation from, the employer to join a group affiliated with any personal online account of the employee or applicant.… Read More