I have plenty of “guilty pleasures” when it comes to television watching. Dancing with the Stars isn’t one of them. (Though considering how my Yankees did last night, I probably should’ve just changed the channel to watch DWTS instead). But DWTS has a knack for making headlines (Bristol Palin, anyone?) and this season is no… Continue Reading
Tag Archives: gender identity
New “Discrimination is Illegal” Poster Ready for Download
Posted in CHRO & EEOC, Human Resources (HR) Compliance, Laws and Regulations, Manager & HR Pro’s Resource CenterEmployers in Connecticut should be familiar with the “Discrimination is Illegal” poster put out by the CHRO that should put up on bulletin boards in a common area. With new laws taking effect, October 1, 2011, the agency has released a new poster for printout and posting. The most significant change to the poster is… Continue Reading
The Seven Updates To Consider to Your Employee Handbook
Posted in Featured, Highlight, Human Resources (HR) Compliance, Legislative Developments, Manager & HR Pro’s Resource CenterWith all the legislative developments in Connecticut over the last year or so, it’s tough to keep track of all of the changes that your company needs to consider to update your employee handbook and employment policies. Here’s a (non-exhaustive) list of some of the changes to consider with a link to more information on… Continue Reading
It’s Official: Paid Sick Leave & Gender Identity Anti-Discrimination Bills Get Governor’s Approval
Posted in Discrimination & Harassment, Human Resources (HR) Compliance, Legislative DevelopmentsTo the surprise of absolutely no one, earlier this month Governor Malloy signed the new Paid Sick Leave and the new Gender Identity Anti-Discrimination bills. With the Governor’s approval, the paid sick leave bill now becomes effective January 1, 2012. The anti-discrimination provisions of the gender identity bill are effective October 1, 2011. For more… Continue Reading
Gender Identity & Expression Bill: What Employers Need To Know
Posted in Discrimination & Harassment, Highlight, Human Resources (HR) Compliance, Legislative Developments, Manager & HR Pro’s Resource CenterOver the weekend, the General Assembly passed House Bill 6599, which adds “gender identity or expression” as a new protected category under employment law. Governor Malloy has indicated that he will sign the bill. Assuming he signs the bill, here’s what you need to know as an employer in Connecticut. (For more background, you can see… Continue Reading
Legislative Update: Paid Sick Leave & Gender Identity Discrimination Bills Pass; Governor’s Approval Expected
Posted in Legislative DevelopmentsEarly Saturday morning, the Connecticut General Assembly passed two bills that will have a significant impact on employers in Connecticut. Both bills now need to be signed by the Governor (who has indicated he will sign them). First, the Senate passed House Bill 6599, which adds “gender identity or expression” as a new protected category… Continue Reading
Gender Identity & Expression Discrimination Bill Clears Conn. House
Posted in Legislative DevelopmentsThe on-again, off-again bill that would prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity and expression (including transgendered individuals) passed the Connecticut House late Thursday night on a vote along party lines. The bill, H.B. 6599, would add a new protected class and defines "gender identity as follows: "Gender identity or expression" means a person’s… Continue Reading
Legislative Update: CHRO & Affirmative Action; Gender Identity Discrimination; Paid Sick Days; Credit Reports; Workplace Bullying
Posted in Legislative DevelopmentsThe Connecticut General Assembly is heating up and a number of employment-related bills are still alive this legislative session. The Labor & Public Employee Committee has voted a number of bills out, meaning that they’re up for consideration by either the House or Senate, or another committee. These include: HB 5460 (which would prohibit so-called… Continue Reading
What Might Be The Impact of the State Elections on Connecticut Employers? Mandatory Paid Sick Leave
Posted in Legislative DevelopmentsThere’s been plenty written about what the impact of the federal elections will be on national legislative efforts. While at an ABA Conference last week, various legislative initiatives concerning independent contractors and the Employee Free Choice Act were now seen as as DOA. But in Connecticut, we elected the first Democrat as Governor in over two… Continue Reading
The Curious Case of Caster Semenya – What Would an Employer Do?
Posted in CHRO & EEOC, Human Resources (HR) Compliance, Laws and RegulationsAt the recent World Track & Field Championships, a fascinating understory developed about the gender of a runner from South Africa, Caster Semenya. She recently shattered world records and, in doing so, raised suspicions that something else was going on to explain the record runs. With illegal drugs ruled out, officials are investigating whether she… Continue Reading
Is This The Year for a Transgender Anti-Discrimination Bill in Connecticut…Or Will Budget Deficit Dominate Debate?
Posted in Discrimination & Harassment, Human Resources (HR) Compliance, Legislative DevelopmentsThis is shaping up to be an interesting year for the Connecticut General Assembly. The budget forecasts are projecting massive deficits. As a result, I would not be surprised to see the budget debates dominating the agenda of the Connecticut legislature. Nevertheless, other bills will still be proposed, debated, and certainly passed during the several months… Continue Reading
Check Out NPR for Interview on Gender Identity
Posted in Laws and RegulationsUPDATED My earlier post on the Obama Transition Team’s pledge not to discriminate on the basis of gender identity has been picking up some press. As I indicate, it is likely that this pledge will form the basis of an executive order when the new administration starts. NPR interviewed me earlier this afternoon. You should be able… Continue Reading
Obama Transition Team Pledges Not to Discriminate On Basis of Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity in Hiring Practices
Posted in Discrimination & Harassment, Human Resources (HR) Compliance, Laws and RegulationsAS UPDATED 11/7 below: In my earlier post, I highlighted the policy issues that are likely to be on the new administration’s radar. But suppose you want to work in the new administration, there’s an "expression of interest" form that you can fill out too on the "Jobs" page. Buried at the bottom of the page is… Continue Reading
Election Guide – Part IV – What’s Going to Happen in the Connecticut General Assembly? (And An Invite To Our Seminar)
Posted in Legislative DevelopmentsSo what’s going to happen after the election with various employment law proposals? Well, you’ll have to wait for the election to really see what happen at a federal level. After all, part of it still depends on who is elected to the White House and how many seats the Democrats control in Congress. (If… Continue Reading
Transgender Litigation: Court Grants Summary Judgment to Employer In Title VII Transgender Case
Posted in Discrimination & Harassment, Human Resources (HR) Compliance, LitigationEarlier this year, proponents of a bill to make transgender (or gender identity and expression) a protected category failed in their efforts to get that category covered under the state’s anti-discrimination laws. A new United States District Court case this week may provide proponents with an example of a case that, in their view, may have come out differently if "transgender" was… Continue Reading
Legislative Preview: Is Transsexual Bias Law on the Horizon?
Posted in Legislative DevelopmentsWith the General Assembly back in session this month, one group is hoping to place additional protection against transsexual and transgender discrimination on the top of the "to do" list for employment law revisions. According to a Hartford Business Journal article, the Connecticut TransAdvocacy Coalition group is now lobbying for a bill about that issue. Now, you… Continue Reading
About Daniel Schwartz
Trusted advisor. Experienced employment law attorney. Bar leader. Award-winning author. Noted Speaker. "Legal Rebel". All can be said to be apt descriptions of Daniel Schwartz, a member of Pullman & Comley. More +
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