Mandatory Job Discrimination Requirements for Employers in Connecticut

September 9th, 2006 Posted by Rachel

You are afforded protection from harassment or discrimination in the workplace if you work in Connecticut. Especially if you are a disabled individual you have the right to seek gainful employment and to be employed and treated fairly as any other individual. State and Federal law protects individuals from being discriminated against on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability, political affiliation or beliefs. Citizenship status as a lawfully admitted immigrant authorized to work in the United States or participation in any Workforce Investment Act Title I financially assisted program shall also not be used as a basis for employment.

Connecticut (CT) job discrimination law in the workplace and the federal Americans with Disabilities Act or ADA protects citizens and employees from harassment or discrimination due to their disability. Any employer, and that includes private business, state and local government, employment agencies and labor unions with 15 or more workers has been covered under the ADA since July 26, 1994. The ADA does not require an employer to hire anyone who is not qualified to perform the essential functions of a particular job. Employers, whenever possible, should make reasonable accommodations for those who are disabled. Reasonable accommodations are adjustments or modifications, which range from making the physical work environment accessible, providing a flexible work schedule or providing equipment for assistance to those who are disabled. For example a TTY machine for those with hearing impairments or a computer that enlarges print for individuals with vision impairments.

The ADA and Connecticut job discrimination law do not limit their protections to only those who are currently or visibly disabled. Someone who once had a disability would still be protected. Those who have a hidden disability such as learning disabilities or HIV are offered the same protections as are those who are not disabled themselves but may be related or associated with a disabled person.

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State of Connecticut (CT) Discrimination Posting Requirements for Businesses

August 17th, 2006 Posted by Derrick

It is the law that employers in Connecticut must hang Connecticut state discrimination posters that outline a worker’s right not to be discriminated against in the workplace. These Connecticut state discrimination posters must be hung in a place where employees gather such as a break room or lunchroom. Connecticut follows and enforces all laws that are against discrimination in the workplace including the necessity for employers to display the appropriate posters.

No person in Connecticut shall be discriminated against because of race, religion, sex, color, national origin, age, disability, beliefs, or political affiliation. The Connecticut Department of labor is committed to developing programs that will ensure that all discriminatory practices are eliminated from the workplace and they are also committed to identifying and dealing with any and all discriminatory acts. Connecticut has an official, the State Equal Opportunity Officer, who oversees all programs to eliminate discrimination and serves as a liaison for the Labor Department and all civil rights groups.

A person who feels that he/she has been a victim of discrimination has 180 days from the time of the incident to file an official complaint. The alleged victim may file the complaint with the recipient’s Equal Opportunity Officer or the Director of the Civil Rights Center at the Connecticut Department of Labor. The person filing the complaint is protected from any type of discrimination resulting from filing the complaint.

If an employer fails to hang the Connecticut state discrimination posters informing employees of their rights, that employer can be punished by the law. It is the employer’s responsibility to make sure the poster is hung, that it is hung in a place where it is easily visible, and that the poster includes all the necessary information. If the Connecticut state discrimination posters doesn’t include all the information that workers have a right to know, the employer is in violation of the law.

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