The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has issued a Final Rule on the standards for determining independent contractor status for purposes of minimum wage and overtime pay issues under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Although the Final Rule is considered “new,” it is based on the standard that was applied prior to the 2021
Connecticut’s legislature has amended the state’s physician noncompete law to provide for additional restrictions on physician noncompete agreements. (Public Act No. 23-97). In addition, Connecticut has extended noncompete restrictions to advanced practice registered nurses (nurse practitioners) and physician assistants. Governor Lamont is expected to sign the amendment, but has not yet done so.
Two major legislative amendments to Connecticut’s employment statutes go into effect on October 1, 2021, both of which involve employers’ hiring practices.
Continue Reading Amendments Impacting Connecticut Hiring Practices Take Effect October 1
On May 14, 2021, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (“PWFA”) in a 315-101 vote, moving the bill to the Senate for consideration. If passed, private sector employers with 15 or more employees and public sector employers will be required to make reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers (i.e., employees and job applicants with known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions). However, employers are not required to make an accommodation if it imposes an undue hardship on the employer’s business.
Continue Reading Federal Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Gains Steam, Passing House of Representatives – What Do CT, MA and NY Employers Need to Know?
On March 4, 2021, Governor Lamont signed into law the CROWN Act, which stands for Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural hair. Connecticut follows California, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Colorado, Washington, and Virginia in adopting legislation that aims to prohibit discrimination on the basis of ethnic hairstyles historically associated with race.
Continue Reading Connecticut Prohibits Hair Discrimination
Effective April 20, 2020 at 8:00 p.m., employees in the workplace are required to wear a face mask or cloth face covering. Governor Lamont issued this directive as part of Executive Order No. 7BB, which also requires individuals in public to “cover their mouth and nose with a mask or cloth face-covering” when a “safe social distance of approximately six feet from every other person” cannot be maintained. Connecticut follows New York’s lead once again, as New York previously implemented a substantively identical order.
Continue Reading Connecticut Updates Safe Workplace Rules to Require Masks In the Workplace
On Friday, March 20, Governor Lamont issued an executive order requiring non-essential workers to stay home. All workplaces have been ordered to utilize telecommuting, where possible. Executive Order 7H represents the most drastic step yet in Connecticut’s battle against COVID-19, and followed mere hours after Governor Cuomo announced similar measures in New York. The
Next month, Connecticut legislators from across the political spectrum are set to formally introduce a bill prohibiting employers from inquiring into a job applicant’s age, birthday, or graduation date, unless necessary for a bona fide employment reason. At an announcement on Thursday, January 16, 2020, a wide ranging group of elected officials and other stakeholders heralded the measure as a protection for older workers facing age discrimination in the labor market. Connecticut has the sixth oldest workforce in the country. A similar bill, H.B. No. 6113, passed the Labor Committee last year, but was never presented for a vote in the House.
Continue Reading How Old Are You, Job Seeker? Connecticut Legislators to Introduce Bill Banning the Question
On September 24, 2019, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued its final overtime rule as it relates to the minimum salary threshold for exempt employees. The DOL estimates that 1.3 million workers will be eligible for overtime pay as a result of its final rule. Here is how the new rule will impact workers in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York.
Continue Reading Update: DOL Issues Final Rule On Minimum Salary Threshold for Exempt Employees: The Impact in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York
Effective October 1, 2019, Connecticut increased the minimum wage and implemented extensive revisions to existing sexual harassment laws. Below is a brief summary of the changes. As always, Murtha employment lawyers are available to discuss these new laws and how they may affect your organization.
Changes to Connecticut Sexual Harassment LawsContinue Reading Revised Sexual Harassment Law and Minimum Wage Increase Take Effect October 1, 2019