Post University has named Amanda Nardozzi as director of the Police Recertification Program for the School of Continuing Education. Nardozzi previously served as the associate program chair of Criminal Justice and brings more than 20 years of law enforcement experience to her new position.

Post University’s Police Recertification Program allows officers to take courses virtually in just a few hours, saving law enforcement departments time and money. Each one- to two-hour course covers current issues in law enforcement, such as cultural diversity, conflict management, gangs and gang violence, and managing juvenile cases. To learn more about Post University’s Police Recertification Program, visit: https://post.edu/academics/continuing-education/police-recertification/

This HR Corner is brought to you by Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey LLP. Written by Attorney Nick Zaino

SB 312: AN ACT CONCERNING THE EXPANSION OF CONNECTICUT PAID SICK DAYS. Expands the paid sick leave law to require every employer (not just those with 50 or more employees) to provide every employee (not just service workers) with one hour of paid sick leave for each 30 hours worked (instead of 40 hours) up to a maximum of 40 hours per year. Would also require every employer to provide up to 80 hours of COVID-19 sick leave. 

HB 5249: AN ACT CONCERNING NONCOMPETE AGREEMENTS: Significantly restricts an employer’s use of non-compete agreement. Would invalidate non-compete agreements for non-exempt (hourly) employees, employees earning not less than three times the minimum wage, and independent contractors earning less than five times the minimum wage. Would also render a non-compete unenforceable if the employer terminates the employment relationship without cause (which is not defined in the bill). There are numerous other restrictions, including a 12-month limit on the non-compete duration.

SB 317: AN ACT CONCERNING UNEMPLOYMENT FOR STRIKING EMPLOYEES. Permits employees who are on strike to collect unemployment benefits after two weeks. This would reverse current law, which generally renders a striking employee ineligible for benefits.

SB 318: AN ACT CONCERNING CAPTIVE AUDIENCE MEETINGS. Allows employees to bring a civil action against an employer if the employer requires employees to attend or participate in a meeting or listen to a speech, the primary purpose of which is to communicate the employer's opinion concerning “religious matters” or “political matters”. The definitions of these terms are broad and could include a meeting to discuss legislation or regulations that impact business operations, employer involvement in civic or community events, and labor unions. 

SB 321: AN ACT EXPANDING WORKERS' COMPENSATION COVERAGE FOR POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS INJURIES FOR ALL EMPLOYEES. Extends workers' compensation coverage for all employees (not just first responders) who have post-traumatic stress due to certain events such as viewing a deceased minor, witnessing the death of a person, and witnessing an injury to a person who subsequently dies before or after admission at a hospital.

HB 5245: AN ACT CONCERNING FORCED ARBITRATION AGREEMENTS AND ALLOWING CERTAIN COURT ACTIONS TO BE BROUGHT ON BEHALF OF THE STATE: Allows employees to sue their employers for discrimination on behalf of the state after having waived their personal rights to sue by signing forced arbitration agreements. This would be similar the federal False Claims Act that allow private citizens to help recover compensation on behalf of the government for violations of the law.

HB 5356: AN ACT CONCERNING PANDEMIC PAY FOR ESSENTIAL WORKERS. Provides “essential workers” with $2,000 pandemic pay for their service during the COVID19 pandemic to be paid from Connecticut’s general fund. 

HB 5353: AN ACT CONCERNING A FAIR WORKWEEK SCHEDULE. Requiring certain retail, restaurant, and hospitality employers to provide 14 days' notice to employees of their work schedules.

We will continue to monitor these bills and provide updates. In the meantime, if you have questions about what you can do to improve your employee retention, please contact a member of Carmody’s Labor and Employment team. 

On Thursday, March 24, the Waterbury Regional Chamber will host the 39^th annual Business Women’s Forum—Connecticut’s premier professional development conference for individuals from across the region. For the past 39 years, the Business Women’s Forum has inspired and educated women from across the state through an energetic day of expert speakers and engaging networking opportunities.

If you have been eyeing the ads, exploring our website and social media, and deciding whether to attend, I encourage you to register and join us for an amazing day at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville. Registration and networking begins at 11 a.m., followed by lunch at 11:30 a.m. The program runs from 12:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. A virtual option is also available. Visit www.ctbwf.com or call us at (203)757-0701 today so we can answer your questions.

As part of your Waterbury Regional Chamber Membership, you can receive free subscriptions to the Hartford Business Journal and New Haven Biz publications. Click the links below to sign up today!

On Wednesday, March 9 at the Aqua Turf, the Waterbury Regional Chamber presented the 2022 Malcolm Baldrige Community Award to John Hopkins of Post University; the Leadership Award to Nick Zaino of Carmody Torrance Sandak and Hennessey, LLP and the Leadership Award to Sue Mellitt of Drew Marine. Thank you to our Diamond Sponsor Webster Bank, Platinum Sponsors Onyx II Fine Jewelers and Post University, our Gold Sponsors Drew Marine and Tomasso Group, and our many other generous supporters!