On June 16, 2020, in anticipation of the Phase Two reopenings of some businesses, Governor Ned Lamont issued Executive Order 7ZZ repealing some prior orders and issuing new rules for businesses that are allowed to reopen. In doing so, however, Executive Order 7ZZ adds a new complexity to the rules that might be followed. Here are the highlights: Essential Businesses will continue to operate under the rules for Essential Businesses promulgated by the DECD. This…

Connecticut’s anti-discrimination statutes explicitly list sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes, and therefore gay and transgender employees are protected from workplace discrimination by state law.  Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (“Title VII”) does not contain such explicit protections, however, and therefore it was unclear whether federal law similarly protected those individuals. The U.S. Supreme Court recently answered that question in Bostock v. Clayton County, No. 17–1618 (U.S. June 15,…

Over the weekend, Governor Ned Lamont of Connecticut issued updated rules to allow for a new series of businesses to reopen on June 17, 2020.  These guidelines continue the previously-issued guidance relating to Phase One businesses by providing science-driven directives. The Governor’s stated goal for this next series of reopenings is to “proactively protect public health and speed up the pace of economic, educational and community recovery while restoring Connecticut’s quality of life”. Many of…

On June 1, 2020 Governor Lamont issued Executive Order 7UU, which creates mandatory COVID-19 testing requirements for staff working at nursing homes and assisted living facilities, and modifies the definition of “suitable work” in the State’s unemployment regulations.  Employers should take notice of the potential expansion of the unemployment regulations under this Executive Order. The current Connecticut unemployment regulations state that an individual will be ineligible for unemployment benefits if he or she fails to…

Over the weekend, Governor Ned Lamont issued rules to allow certain Connecticut businesses to reopen on May 20th. These guidelines aim to provide specific, science-driven directives applicable to all open businesses generally and individual sectors specifically. While the goal of the State’s phased reopening is to “speed up the pace of economic, educational, and community recovery,” employers will find that the rules place a heavy emphasis on employee and customer safety. This first phase of…