The Connecticut Supreme Court today addressed the issue of who is an "employee" under a provision of the state’s unpaid wage law that allows individuals to institute a civil action. (Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 31-72). That statute basically says that when wages aren’t paid under some other provisions (sections 31-71a to 31-71i), the
Connecticut’s Wage Laws — What Do They Really Say About Bonuses, Wages and Double Damages?
By Daniel Schwartz on
Posted in Laws and Regulations, Wage & Hour
UPDATED
Over the last 24 hours, it seems that every politician is decrying the use of Connecticut wage and hour laws as apparent support for AIG’s payout of various retention payments. Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal’s comments are among the most pointed, according to Capitol Watch:
"I have significant doubts about the validity of…
Can Bonuses Be “Wages” Under Connecticut State Law? Sometimes, Says Appellate Court
By Daniel Schwartz on
Posted in Litigation, Wage & Hour
Yesterday, I discussed the employment contract portion of a new Appellate Court case, Ziotas v. The Reardon Law Firm (download here).
Today, I’ll discuss the second part of the court’s decision on whether the associate’s bonus could be said to be "wages". Why is this important? Because under state law (Conn. Gen. Stat. 31-72)…
Sign On Bonus, Accrued Vacation and COBRA Insurance are not “Wages”, Says Superior Court
By Daniel Schwartz on
Posted in Litigation, Wage & Hour
Connecticut’s wage payment statutes, with the definition of wages found at Conn. Gen. Stat. 31-71a(3), certainly have left courts room to interpret the statute. After all, the definition of wages is merely:
compensation for labor or services rendered by an employee, whether the amount is determined on a time, task, piece, commission or other
…