[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” menu_anchor=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” parallax_speed=”0.3″ video_mp4=”” video_webm=”” video_ogv=”” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” overlay_color=”” video_preview_image=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding_top=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” padding_right=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” center_content=”no” last=”no” min_height=”” hover_type=”none” link=””][fusion_text]It’s time for another update to the pending employment related bills before the Connecticut State Legislature as well as both Federal DOL and Connecticut CHRO regulations and guidance.

Minimum Wage and Paid Family & Medical Leave

Both of these bills continue to make it through legislative committees, with the Paid Family & Medical Leave passing the Labor Committee in February and minimum wage clearing the same committee last month. The Speaker of the House, Joe Aresimowicz, has said that the House will vote on these bills “in the next few weeks”.

Federal Department of Labor – New Overtime Rule

A proposed new rule regarding the new salary threshold for “white collar” exemptions under the FLSA – generally referred to as the overtime rule was released in March. This proposed rule is open for public comment until May 21.

You can refer back to my last legislative update, to read the detail of these and other pending Connecticut bills.

Pregnant Worker’s Rights – CHRO

The Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO) has issued guidance regarding the rights that pregnant Connecticut workers have.

The following are clarifications regarding the updated Connecticut law which became effective October 1, 2017:

• Workers are entitled to reasonable accommodations for pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions
• Workers are entitled to reasonable leaves of absence due to disability resulting from pregnancy
• Workers are entitled to reasonable accommodations and reasonable leaves of absences for any pregnancy-related condition or symptom
• Workers are entitled to reasonable accommodations for lactation needs
• Workers are entitled to confidentiality
• After a request has been made, employers should engage in good-faith discussion with employees regarding potential reasonable accommodations
• It is illegal to retaliate against an employee for requesting a reasonable accommodation or leave

Looking Ahead

As employers, what can you do to remain prepared to implement what becomes law? Employers should:

1. Keep up to date with the news coming out of both Hartford and Washington on the progress of these bills/rules
2. In advance, prepare budget calculations as to the overall cost of not only the minimum wage and salary threshold changes, but also the effect that a paid family and medical leave act would have on their operating budget and business operations
3. Consider drafting updated policies for these and other new legislation
4. Stay connected to KardasLarson blogs and notices, as well as others to remain up to date

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