Connecticut, like many other states, has enacted a statute that protects an employee from adverse employment action as a result of reporting certain violations of state or federal laws by his or her employer. Known as “The Whistleblower Statute,” Connecticut General Statutes 31-51m provides that “no employer shall discharge, discipline or otherwise penalize any… Read More »
As spring rolls around and our New Year’s resolutions prove to be as empty as the treadmills in the gym we joined in January, some of us have resorted to simply buying larger pants. But for others, this sort of inaction could result in losing their job. During a recent trip to Miami, the topic… Read More »
Tattoos and piercings are far more prevalent in society today than in recent history. Gone are the days where one would hurriedly cross the street in avoidance of an encounter with a tattooed man or woman walking in their direction. Tattoos are no longer associated with criminals and seedy characters, but now adorn the bodies… Read More »
In the recent decision, Janus v. AFSCME, Council 31, et al, the United States Supreme Court ruled that it is unconstitutional for state and public-sector unions to deduct agency fees or any other payments to the union from a nonmember’s wages without their consent. The basis for the Court’s decision is that it is a… Read More »
Nearly ninety percent of states, as well as Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia, allow the limited possession of marijuana for medical treatment. However, federal law still designates marijuana as contraband for any purpose. That means that an individual lawfully prescribed marijuana for medical purposes under a state law is potentially subject to federal… Read More »
The Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO) recently released its 2016-2017 statistics. The CHRO is the state agency tasked with eliminating discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, and credit transactions. The 2016-17 statistics show a drop in the number of discrimination complaints for the first time in several years. The CHRO received a… Read More »
In May 2016, I wrote about the changes the Obama Administration had made to the overtime rule in the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) which were set to take effect on December 1, 2016. You can read that post here. In short, the changes more than doubled the threshold salary level for employees to be… Read More »
Yes. An employer may require employees to work more than 40 hours in one calendar week as long as the employer pays the employee overtime compensation (1 ½ times the employee’s regular rate) for all hours worked over 40. It does not matter if the days on which the hours are worked are Saturdays, Sundays… Read More »
The legislature passed a bill expanding protections for pregnant employees. The bill, called “An Act Concerning Pregnant Women in the Workplace,” awaits Governor Malloy’s signature. State law already makes it illegal for an employer to discriminate against a woman because of her pregnancy, and much of the existing law will remain under the bill. For… Read More »
In August 2016, the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB” or “Board”) ruled that graduate students and adjunct professors at private colleges and universities are employees and, therefore, can join unions. The NLRB is the federal agency that enforces the federal law that grants most private sector non-supervisory employees the right to form unions, as well… Read More »
