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
New Year, New Law: No Salary Inquiries of Job Applicants (Mostly)
January 1st is typically a time for new laws to kick in and 2019 is no exception.
For employers, the biggest change is one that I discussed way back in May with amendments to Connecticut’s Pay Equity law.
The new law prohibits employers from asking a job applicant his or her wage and salary history.
“Pay Equity” Bill, Prohibiting Salary Inquiries of Applicants, Passes General Assembly
Over the weekend, the General Assembly approved a bill prohibiting employers, including the state and its political subdivisions, from asking, or directing a third-party to ask, about a prospective employee’s wage and salary history.
I have previously discussed the measure here. There were a few versions floating around and it was House Bill 5386 that
Compliance with Today’s Anti-Discrimination Laws Through a History Lesson
Over the weekend, I was doing a lot of driving. Having a kid at camp near the New Hampshire border to pick him up will do that.
So, it was time for me to catch up on some podcasts I had downloaded but hadn’t yet listened to.
I
Legislative Update: Modified “Ban the Box” Bill Approved in Connecticut
Remember “Ban the Box” and the fair chance employment bill from earlier in the session?
Well, it passed last night. Sort of.
An amendment to the original bill essentially wiped the prior version clean. Thus, whatever you think you knew about the measure you can put that aside.
Reflections on Early Labor Relations & Anniversaries
As I take some extended time off from the office, frequent guest poster Chris Engler takes a look back at some of the earliest background on labor history.
Because I majored in history in college, I’m a firm believer that understanding history is of great benefit when planning for the future.
The Whole New World of the CHRO in a Powerpoint (Program Recap – Part II)
Yesterday, I recapped part of the CHRO program on the new Public Act 11-237 which revises the procedures for processing and investigating complaints.
Next up was CHRO Principal Attorney Charles Krich. (Careful blog readers may note that he comments on the blog from time to time.)
First off, Charlie gets kudos from me just
EEOC Holds Public Hearing on Use of Credit Reports for Hiring
Yesterday, the EEOC held a public hearing on the use of credit reports as a basis for making hiring and other employment-related decisions. Jon Hyman, of the Ohio Employer’s Law Blog, has an excellent recap of the discussion which I won’t attempt to duplicate here. Jon argues that it would be unfair to employers to
A “Dose” of Connecticut Labor Law History – The Danbury Hatters Case
Let’s face it. It’s downright hot today. On days like this, it’s easy for the mind to wander to thoughts of lobsters at Abbotts or ice cream from the UConn Dairy Bar. 
And depending on your perspective, it’s a hat-type of day — though for most people, a baseball cap is probably the biggest fashion
No Criminal Background Checks? Proposed Bill Would Limit Use for Public Employers
Connecticut state law has long made it plain that the "policy of the state to encourage all employers to give favorable consideration to providing jobs to qualified individuals, including those who may have criminal conviction records." (Conn. Gen. Stat. 46a-79.) 
In a prior post, I’ve discussed how state law does not prohibit private