Connecticut legislative session creates headaches for employers

Connecticut’s legislative session recently wrapped up with the passage of some new laws that will unfortunately create headaches for employers, including separate measures requiring the disclosure of salary information and restricting hiring managers from asking about a job applicant’s age.

Salary range disclosure law takes effect in October

Starting October 1, 2021, Connecticut will require employers of all sizes to disclose wage range information to employees and job candidates.

For job applicants, you must inform them (when requested, but no later than when a job offer is made) of the anticipated wage range for the position. For existing employees, you must provide the wage range for a position at their request, when they are hired, or whenever they change jobs.

When determining the “wage range,” you may refer to any applicable pay scale, any previously determined range of wages, the actual pay range of employees holding comparable positions, or the budgeted amount for the job.

The law comes with a powerful hammer: a private cause of action (or claim). Thus, employees and applicants can file a lawsuit if the statute is violated and may be entitled to compensatory damages, attorneys’ fees, and punitive damages.

The new law doesn’t specifically address whether it applies to remote workers, but you may have to assume for the time being that it does.