February is Black History Month and I want to briefly share the stories of two black women — both professors — who played a pivotal role in my development as an attorney with the hopes that perhaps you’ll take a moment and think about those people who have influenced you. In doing so, we can

The One Tip Employers Must Know to Avoid Employee Lawsuits
Let’s face it — the internet is now filled with click-bait — that is, headlines written so you will click on it, just like the one above. Buzzfeed was a master at it with such gems as:
This Girl Matched On Tinder With An Olympic Athlete And Here’s What Happened Next
20 Reasons Why Cheez-Its
…

The Next Stage of the Pandemic – Government Takes a Step Back
This isn’t the end of the pandemic. But it’s starting to feel a lot closer than it has for a while.
First off, the omicron wave has crested in Connecticut. There may still be more variants to worry about but at least for now (a few weeks? months?), cases are declining significantly in Connecticut —…

What the Supreme Court’s Ruling on the OSHA ETS Means for Employers
There’s going to be lots of virtual ink spilled about the politics of the Supreme Court’s decision today and the ultimate ramifications of the OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard. In case you hadn’t heard, the Supreme Court this afternoon decided to grant a stay of the OSHA rule, meaning it is on hold and employers now…

New Year, Same Employment Law Issues with Pandemic
Way back in January 2021, I set forth my predictions for the year as I’ve done several times before.
But this line sticks out:
[H]ere’s hoping that 2021 brings some renewed hope and optimism. It’s going to be a tough stretch but I’m hoping that we may be closer to the end of this pandemic
…

In and Out: A Wrap-Up Holiday Post Wrapped In Employment Law Fun
With the end of the year finally here, I know I could do yet another post on the OSHA vax-or-test standard given that the Supreme Court on Wednesday announced expedited oral arguments on the legality of that rule and the vaccine mandate for healthcare workers. That’s now scheduled for January 7, 2022.
But really, with…

Three Things Employers Can Do This Week to Fight the Omicron Wave
The Omicron Wave is either nearly here or already here in Connecticut depending on what reports you listen to.
For employers, its difficult to know exactly what to expect particularly over the next few weeks; there is no statewide mask mandate, for example, and no closures anticipated from state or local governments. Yet, this strain…
BREAKING: The OSHA Vax-or-Test Rule is Back On – What Tri-State Employers Should Know
Late Friday night, the Sixth Circuit lifted the nationwide stay on the OSHA so-called “vax-or-text” rule.
For employers, the “why” the stay was lifted is less important than the “here’s what it means”.
And the short answer to that is that implementation of the rule will begin immediately (again). Of course, there’s still an appeal…
CTFMLA, CT Paid Leave and Omicron Variant
In two weeks, employers in Connecticut will have to deal with something new and I worry that many employers aren’t prepared for what is coming. It’s really a triple-whammy at the same time.
Item 1:
First, effective January 1, 2022, Connecticut’s Family and Medical Leave Act law gets expanded to almost all private employers. That…

Federal Vaccine Mandates on Hold as Court (and Pandemic) Battles Rage
Over the last two weeks or so, several federal courts have issued nationwide injunctions prohibiting the U.S. government from going forward with mandatory vaccination (or vax and test) rules that have been implemented.
First, it was the Fifth Circuit that stayed the OSHA “Vax or Test” ETS. That case and others around the country have…