The Connecticut Department of Labor has released a new mandatory workplace poster for employers. During the 2017 legislative session, Governor Dannel Malloy signed H.B. 6668, enhancing existing anti-discrimination protections for pregnant employees. Under the law, which goes into effect October 1, 2017, an employer with more than three employees must provide accommodations for an employee or individual seeking employment related to pregnancy, childbirth, or a related condition. Reasonable accommodations include, but are not limited to:
- being permitted to sit while working;
- more frequent or longer breaks;
- periodic rest;
- assistance with manual labor;
- job restructuring;
- light duty assignments;
- modified work schedules;
- temporary transfers to less strenuous or less hazardous work;
- time off to recover from childbirth; or
- break time and appropriate facilities for expressing milk.
Employers are prohibited from discriminating against an employee or prospective employee because of her pregnancy, childbirth, or other related conditions. Employers may not deny employment opportunities to the employee because of the request or need for an accommodation. Employers are also prohibited from refusing an accommodation unless the accommodation causes an undue hardship. To deny the accommodation, employers must demonstrate that the accommodation would require a significant difficulty or expense in light of its circumstances. For instance, employers would need to consider the nature and cost of the accommodation, the overall financial resources, the overall size of the business with respect to the number of employees, and the number, type and location of its facilities, and the effect on expenses and resources.
Employers are required to provide a written notice of the right to be free from retaliation in relation to pregnancy, childbirth, or a related condition to new employees at the commencement of employment, existing employees within 120 days after the effective date, and any employee who notifies the employer of her pregnancy or related conditions. Employers must also display the notice in a conspicuous place, accessible to employees and prospective employees.
Compliance Poster Company has redesigned the Connecticut All-On-OneTM Labor Law Poster to include the new mandatory Pregnancy Discrimination posting. The poster can be ordered here, or by calling our Compliance Advisors at 1-800-817-7678. Order today to stay compliant!