Employee Rights Blog

Oct 30 2024

Do You Have to Give Advanced Notice of Resignation From Your Job? What Happens If You Don’t?

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. What are we talking about today? DeMatteis: I thought we would talk about notice periods. So, picture this hypothetical: A potential client […]

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Oct 23 2024

My Employer Wants Me to Sign a Non-Compete. What Should I Do?

Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. What are we gonna talk about today? Goodbaum: I wanna ask you a question that I get all the time and I […]

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Oct 16 2024

Why You Should Not Communicate with Your Employment Lawyer Via Your Work Computer or Work Email

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. What are we talking about today? DeMatteis: I thought I’d give you a hypothetical and then you can answer it for our […]

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Oct 9 2024

Can a Connecticut Employee Receive Both Severance Pay and Unemployment Benefits?

Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. What are we going to chat about today? Goodbaum: I wanna talk about unemployment. We did a video earlier this year about […]

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Oct 2 2024

Can an Employee Get a Reasonable Accommodation to Help Them Commute To or From Work?

Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. What are we gonna talk about today? Goodbaum: I wanna talk about a client who came to me because she has cataracts. […]

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Sep 25 2024

If I Was Hired as a Remote Worker, Can I Be Forced to Work In-Person?

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. What are we talking about today? DeMatteis: I thought we would talk about a potential client who gets an offer letter that […]

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Sep 18 2024

What is Blue Penciling, and How Does It Affect Connecticut Employees With Non-Competes?

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. What are we talking about today? DeMatteis: We’re gonna talk about non-competes – something that we cover quite a bit on these […]

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Sep 11 2024

Can Employees Be Fired Because They Are Recovering from or in Treatment for Alcoholism or Addiction?

Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. What are we gonna chat about today? Goodbaum: I saw a story on the news recently about a guy who graduated from […]

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Sep 4 2024

Can I File a CHRO or EEOC Claim Without a Lawyer? Should I?

Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. What are we going to talk about today? Goodbaum: Well, the law is full of acronyms, and employment law is no exception. […]

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Aug 28 2024

Can You Be Fired for Having an OnlyFans Page?

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. What are we talking about today? DeMatteis: I had an interesting consultation this week, and I’m hoping that you can shed some […]

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Aug 21 2024

What Legal Protections Do Employees Have Against Bullying in the Workplace?

Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. What are we gonna talk about today? Goodbaum: I want to talk about bullying – a big topic for a lot of […]

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Aug 14 2024

When to Ask for a Reasonable Accommodation

Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. Amanda DeMatteis: Hey, Josh. What are we going to talk about today? Goodbaum: Well, I want to talk about reasonable accommodations for disabilities, and in particular, […]

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Aug 7 2024

Defamation in the Workplace: What Legal Rights Do Employees Have?

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. What are we talking about today? DeMatteis: I thought we would talk about a potential client that comes in to see us, […]

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Jul 31 2024

Can I Be Fired for Using ChatGPT at Work? And Is It a Good Idea?

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. What are we talking about today? DeMatteis: I thought we could talk about artificial intelligence. We’re seeing it virtually everywhere. Whether it’s […]

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Jul 24 2024

What Are Signs of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace?

Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. What are we going to talk about today? Goodbaum: I want to talk about sexual harassment. We know from the #MeToo Movement […]

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Jul 17 2024

I Requested a Reasonable Accommodation. My Employer Wants More Information. Do I Have to Provide It?

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. What are we talking about today? DeMatteis: I thought we would talk about disability discrimination, particularly reasonable accommodations. So, let’s imagine that […]

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Jul 10 2024

Do Employees Have First Amendment Free Speech Rights at Work?

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. What are we talking about today? DeMatteis: Let’s talk about the First Amendment. We all know that we have a wonderful Constitution […]

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Jul 3 2024

My Employer Suddenly Changed My Work Schedule: What Can I Do?

Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. Amanda DeMatteis: Hey, Josh. What are we going to talk about today? Goodbaum: I want to talk about a nurse whose schedule has been changed involuntarily. […]

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Jun 18 2024

I Took Confidential Documents From My Prior Employer. That’s OK, Right?

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. What are we talking about today? DeMatteis: Well, I have a hypothetical for you. A potential client comes in, they just left […]

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Jun 12 2024

Can I Be Fired for Having a Side Hustle?

Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. Amanda DeMatteis: Hey, Josh. What are we going to talk about today? Goodbaum: We’re going to talk about side hustles. There are a lot of families […]

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Jun 3 2024

If I’m Receiving Severance Payments, Can I Also Collect Unemployment Benefits?

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. What are we talking about today? DeMatteis: I thought we’d talk about unemployment benefits. A question we get asked a lot: “If […]

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May 29 2024

From Buddy to Boss: How to Navigate Workplace Friendships After a Promotion

Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. What are we gonna talk about today? Goodbaum: I want to talk about a practical problem for a lot of folks in […]

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May 20 2024

You Requested FMLA Leave, and Your Employer Denied It. What Should You Do Next?

Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. Amanda DeMatteis: Hey, Josh. What are we gonna chat about today? Goodbaum: Okay, so a client comes to me and says, “I’ve watched your video about […]

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May 15 2024

Requesting Reasonable Accommodations in the Workplace: How Many Can You Ask For?

Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. What are we gonna talk about today? Goodbaum: Okay, we’ve talked a lot about reasonable accommodations for folks with disabilities, but then […]

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May 8 2024

My Coworker and I Were Dating. We Broke Up, and Then I Got Fired. Can My Employer Do That?

Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. What are we gonna talk about today? Goodbaum: I wanna talk about a potential client who came to us and said basically, […]

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May 1 2024

Did the Federal Government Ban Non-Competes?

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. What are we gonna talk about today? DeMatteis: We’ve talked a lot on these videos about non-competes, but they just keep coming […]

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Apr 25 2024

What Employees Need to Know About The Federal Trade Commission’s New Non-Compete Rule

On April 23, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (or FTC) issued a final rule that, if it goes into effect, would ban covenants not to compete (also known as “non-compete […]

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Apr 24 2024

Is Caitlin Clark’s WNBA Salary Illegal?: Pay Disparity, the Equal Pay Act, and the WNBA

Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. I hear we have a fun topic today. Goodbaum: Well, the topic is basketball, and I know it’s fun for you because […]

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Apr 17 2024

Is DEI Illegal After the Supreme Court’s Affirmative Action Decisions?

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. What are we talking about today? DeMatteis: I thought we would talk about diversity, equity, and inclusion, which is commonly known as […]

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Apr 10 2024

What is a Fair or Reasonable Severance Amount?

Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. What are we gonna chat about today? Goodbaum: Well, I want to talk about a question that I get all the time, […]

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Apr 3 2024

Can Your Employer Discipline You for Off-Premises Recreational Use of Marijuana?

Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. What are we gonna chat about today? Goodbaum: Well, I wanna talk about marijuana but in a way that is about employment […]

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Mar 27 2024

What Is Anti-Semitism? What Is Anti-Zionism? And How Can You Talk About Them at Work?

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. What are we talking about today? DeMatteis: I thought we would talk about the issue that has been going on for such […]

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Mar 13 2024

Is My Nanny an Employee Under Connecticut Law?

Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. What are we gonna talk about today? Goodbaum: Well, I wanna talk about your kids – and not exactly in the way […]

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Mar 6 2024

Should I Tell My Employer About My New Medical Diagnosis?

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. What are we gonna talk about today? DeMatteis: Well, I had a potential client come in to see me that had a […]

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Feb 28 2024

Employee Best Practices: Put It In Writing

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. What are we talking about today? DeMatteis: Well, we’ve done a few videos in the past about employees coming to us saying, […]

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Feb 20 2024

Can Your Political Beliefs and Actions Hurt You at Work?

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. What are we talking about today? DeMatteis: I thought we would talk about politics. Goodbaum: Uh oh. That can cause some trouble, […]

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Feb 13 2024

Workers’ Compensation Coverage for PTSD

Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. What are we gonna talk about today? Goodbaum: Well, I wanna talk about workers’ compensation. Because, in addition to being an outstanding […]

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Feb 5 2024

The Super Bowl and Employment Law: Incentive Compensation on the Field and in the Office

Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. What are we gonna talk about today? Goodbaum: Well, I wanna talk about football because it is Super Bowl week. We’re gearing […]

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Jan 31 2024

You Are Taking on Additional Responsibilities at Work but Not Being Paid for It. What Should You Do?

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. What are we talking about today? DeMatteis: I thought we would talk about something that could impact really all levels of employees […]

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Jan 24 2024

Can You Be Fired Because You Were the Victim of a Crime?

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. What are we talking about today? DeMatteis: I thought we would talk about a potential client that comes in to see you […]

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Jan 17 2024

How Can Employees Get Paid While They’re on FMLA Leave?

Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. Nice shirt! Goodbaum: Haha. Yeah, we’re twins. But, what are we talking about? DeMatteis: What are we gonna talk about? You tell […]

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Jan 10 2024

Can an Employee Be Fired for Giving Notice of Resignation?

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. What are we talking about today? DeMatteis: I thought we would talk about a question that I get really frequently: Someone comes […]

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Dec 27 2023

What Can Children’s TV Teach Us About Workplace Bullying?

Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. What are we talking about today? Goodbaum: Well, you tell me that we are talking about something called Bluey, and I have […]

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Dec 20 2023

What Can You Do If Your Employer Shares Your Protected Health Information (PHI)?

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. What are we talking about today? DeMatteis: We actually got a question on YouTube, and I thought we should absolutely answer it […]

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Dec 13 2023

What Shohei Ohtani Can Teach Employees about Deferred Compensation

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. What are we talking about today? DeMatteis: Well, if you’ve watched the news at all recently, you’ve seen that Shohei Ohtani has […]

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Nov 22 2023

Can an Employee Be Terminated for Poor Performance If They Never Received a Performance Review?

Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. What are we gonna talk about today? Goodbaum: I want to talk about a new client who came to me the other […]

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Nov 15 2023

What is Caste Discrimination?

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. What are we talking about today? DeMatteis: I thought we would talk about caste discrimination. I heard this come up in a […]

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Nov 6 2023

Training Repayment Agreements: What You Need to Know

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. What are we talking about today? DeMatteis: I thought we would talk about an article that I saw in The New York […]

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Nov 3 2023

The Toxic Work Environment at The Tonight Show: What Employees Can Do About Workplace Bullying

Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. What are we gonna talk about today? Goodbaum: Well, you know I love some celebrity gossip and I love when celebrity gossip […]

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Oct 25 2023

Does an Employee Have to be Physically Unable to Work to Take Leave Under the FMLA?

Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. What are we gonna talk about today? Goodbaum: I want to talk about the Family and Medical Leave Act — the FMLA […]

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Oct 4 2023

What Does 303 Creative v. Elenis Mean for Connecticut Employment Law?

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. What are we talking about today? DeMatteis: I thought we’d talk about a U.S. Supreme Court decision that came down in the […]

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Sep 27 2023

Unionizing Student-Athletes: Does the Dartmouth Men’s Basketball Team Have the Right to Unionize?

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. What are we talking about today? DeMatteis: I saw in the news that the Dartmouth College men’s basketball team wants to unionize, […]

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Sep 20 2023

Evaluating a Job Offer: What Employees Should Consider

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. What are we talking about today? DeMatteis: Like so many things that we discuss in employment law, we talk about the difference […]

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Sep 6 2023

Accepting a New Job While You’re Out on FMLA

Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. Amanda DeMatteis: Hey, Josh. What are we going to chat about today? Goodbaum: I want to talk about the FMLA — an important topic in employment […]

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Aug 30 2023

Getting Paid in Stock? Advice from an Employment Lawyer

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. What are we talking about today? DeMatteis: Well, I saw an article in the New York Times recently called, “The Hidden Risk […]

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Aug 23 2023

Can You Be Terminated for Asking for a Raise at Work?

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. What are we talking about today? DeMatteis: We are talking about a person at work who drums up the courage to go […]

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Aug 16 2023

The Subtle Gender Biases of the American Workplace

Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. What are we going to talk about today? Goodbaum: Well, I know you are a proud feminist, as am I. And I […]

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Aug 9 2023

Employees’ Rights to Religious Accommodations

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. What are we going to talk about today? DeMatteis: Well, you did a video for us a few months back about an […]

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Aug 2 2023

Connecticut Paid Leave: Benefits for Employees Who Can’t Work After a Layoff

Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. Amanda DeMatteis: Hey Josh, what are we gonna talk about today? Goodbaum: I want to talk about Connecticut Paid Leave, which is a wonderful benefit that […]

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Jul 26 2023

Menopause in the Workplace: What Are Your Rights?

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. What are we talking about today? DeMatteis: I thought we would talk about menopause. Not a typical topic that we cover here […]

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Jul 19 2023

The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act: What Employees Should Know

Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. What are we going to talk about today? Goodbaum: I want to talk about a new federal law: The Pregnant Workers Fairness […]

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Jul 14 2023

If My Work Causes Me Mental, Emotional, or Psychological Injury, Is That Covered by Worker’s Compensation?

Unfortunately, many employees find themselves in situations where their mental and emotional health and well-being are negatively affected by their employment. Most of the time, though, employees in Connecticut are […]

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Jul 12 2023

Do Employees Have the Right to Work from Home?

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. What are we talking about today? DeMatteis: Let’s assume a client comes in to see you and they say, “Josh, I worked […]

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Jul 5 2023

Terminated Because You Applied or Interviewed for a New Job?

Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. What are we gonna talk about today? Goodbaum: I want to talk about an employee who is terminated from their job because […]

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Jun 28 2023

Can an Employee Collect Unpaid Commissions After Their Employment Is Terminated?

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. What are we talking about today? DeMatteis: I thought we would talk about commissions. So, let’s imagine we have a client that […]

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Jun 19 2023

The End of NDAs for Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault in the Workplace?

Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. What are we gonna talk about today? Goodbaum: I want to talk about sexual harassment. Serious topic, a sad topic, one you […]

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Jun 14 2023

Can You Be Fired for Making Too Much Money?

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. What are we talking about today? DeMatteis: I thought we would talk about an employee that comes in and they say, “I’ve […]

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Jun 7 2023

NYC Enacts New Law Prohibiting Discrimination Based on Height & Weight

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. What are we gonna talk about today? DeMatteis: I hear New York has a new law that prevents a novel form of […]

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May 31 2023

Are You Experiencing a Hostile Work Environment? Here’s What You Can Do

Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. What are we gonna talk about today? Goodbaum: I want to talk about an employee who’s experiencing a hostile work environment. It […]

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May 24 2023

What Is My Employment Law Case Worth?

Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. What are we going to talk about today? Goodbaum: I want to talk about an employment law client that I have met […]

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May 4 2023

FMLA Leave: What Employees Shouldn’t Do While They’re On Leave

Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda! Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. What are we going to talk about today? Goodbaum: I want to talk about the Family and Medical Leave Act, or FMLA, […]

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Apr 26 2023

“I Was Fired From My Job Without Warning For No Good Reason. Help!”

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. What are we talking about today? DeMatteis: I thought we’d talk about an employee who’s been working for a company for a […]

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Apr 20 2023

Love, Basketball, & the Celtics Scandal: Legal Advice for Consensual Sexual Workplace Relationships

Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. What are we going to talk about today? Goodbaum: I understand we are talking about love and basketball, which – in addition […]

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Apr 12 2023

Can Your FMLA Request Be Denied Because You Used the Wrong Form?

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh! Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda! What are we talking about today? DeMatteis: We’re talking about the FMLA. I had a potential client come in last week. She […]

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Apr 5 2023

Can You Be Fired For Having a Tattoo?

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. What are we talking about today? DeMatteis: We’re talking about tattoos today. Interesting topic for employment lawyers, but a lot of people […]

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Apr 3 2023

Why Your Confidentiality and Non-Disparagement Clause Might Be Void

When an employee is terminated from their job, they frequently receive a severance package that promises money in exchange for certain restrictions. In order to receive their severance payment, the […]

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Mar 29 2023

Twitter Layoffs and the WARN Act

Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. What are we going to talk about today? Goodbaum: I want to talk about Twitter. How’s that for an attention grabber? What […]

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Mar 13 2023

When Do Connecticut Labor Laws Apply to Remote Work?

Particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic began, many Connecticut-based workers are working from home for employers based in other states. With this rise of remote work, Connecticut employees may wonder whether […]

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Mar 1 2023

What To Do When You Witness Sexual Harassment In Your Workplace

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. What are we talking about today? DeMatteis: I thought we would chat about sexual harassment but in a little bit of a […]

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Feb 22 2023

Reasonable Accommodations for Employees with Mental or Psychological Disabilities

Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. What are we going to talk about today? Goodbaum: I want to talk about reasonable accommodations. And when we think about reasonable […]

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Feb 17 2023

Can Employees Take Time Off for Religious Holidays?

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh! Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda! What are we talking about today? DeMatteis: Well, we have a viewer question, which is pretty exciting. Employee wants a religious holiday […]

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Feb 8 2023

What Connecticut Employees Should Know About Workplace Recordings

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh! What are we going to chat about today? Josh Goodbaum: I thought we could talk about workplace recording, especially in light of changes in the way […]

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Feb 7 2023

Testimony of Joshua Goodbaum to the Labor Committee of the Connecticut General Assembly

Begins at 1:30:32 here. Joshua Goodbaum: Thank you, Chairman Sanchez, Ranking Member Ackert, distinguished Members of the Committee. My name is Josh Goodbaum, and I’m a partner in the law […]

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Feb 2 2023

3 Steps Connecticut Employees Should Follow When Asking for a Reasonable Accommodation

Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda! Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh! What are we going to chat about today? Goodbaum: I want to talk about a Connecticut employee who has a disability – […]

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Jan 31 2023

Final Paychecks in Connecticut

The end of an employment relationship, whether it was unexpected or voluntary, can come with several questions about what comes next. One of these questions is likely, “When will I […]

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Jan 27 2023

Connecticut Sexual Harassment Laws for Prospective Employees

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh! Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda! What are we talking about today? DeMatteis: I thought we’d talk about sexual harassment – unfortunately, something that impacts a lot of […]

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Jan 26 2023

Recreational Marijuana is Now For Sale in Connecticut – What Should Employees Know?

On January 10, 2023, Connecticut dispensaries opened for the sale of recreational marijuana for the first time in the state’s history. Employees who choose to partake may have some questions, […]

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Jan 24 2023

Appellate Court Resolves Longstanding Uncertainty About Consideration for Connecticut Non-Competes

The nature of non-compete litigation – in particular, its (often exclusive) focus on the preliminary injunctive stage – means that non-compete cases rarely reach a final judgment and the Connecticut […]

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Jan 20 2023

FTC Proposes Rule to Ban Non-Compete Agreements

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh! Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda! What’re we going to talk about today? DeMatteis: Let’s talk about non-competes. Of course, we’ve talked about them before, but there’s actually […]

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Nov 30 2022

Connecticut’s Clean Slate Law: What You Need to Know

Changes are coming to the way Connecticut employers can investigate and use the criminal background information of current and prospective employees. A new Connecticut statute known as the “Clean Slate” […]

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Nov 2 2022

Employment Rights for Pregnant Connecticut Workers

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh! Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda! What do you want to talk about today? DeMatteis: Well, I thought we would talk about pregnancy. So, I am very close […]

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Oct 26 2022

Common Questions About Applying for Connecticut Unemployment Benefits

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh! Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda! What are we going to talk about today? DeMatteis: I thought we could talk about unemployment. It’s kind of surprising that a […]

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Sep 28 2022

Employee Surveillance: What Employers Can and Cannot Do in the Age of Remote Work

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh! Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda! What are we talking about today? DeMatteis: Well, we’re still dealing with COVID, whether we want to be or not, but it’s […]

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Sep 27 2022

Changes to Connecticut’s Anti-Discrimination Law

The Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act (CFEPA) is the Connecticut law that prohibits discrimination in employment. Enacted in the late 1940s, the CFEPA predated the federal Civil Rights Act by […]

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Sep 21 2022

Employee Benefits While on Leave Due to a Workplace Injury

Josh Goodbaum: Hi Amanda! Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. What are we going to talk about today? Goodbaum: I want to talk about a Connecticut employee who got hurt on the […]

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Sep 13 2022

Enforceability of Non-Compete Agreements in Connecticut

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh! Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda! What are we talking about today? DeMatteis: I thought we would talk about non-competes. Non-competes are these restrictive covenants that a lot […]

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Sep 8 2022

Hostile Work Environment | Five Signs that It’s Time to Contact an Employment Lawyer

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh! Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda! What are we talking about today? DeMatteis: Let’s talk about a Connecticut employee who feels as though they are working in a […]

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Aug 31 2022

Connecticut Personnel Files Act | Employee Discipline Rights You Need To Know

Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda! Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh! What are we going to talk about today? Goodbaum: I thought we could talk about employee discipline. So, you’re a Connecticut employee, […]

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Aug 10 2022

Feel Unsafe in the Workplace? OSHA Protects You

Betsy Ingraham: Hello. My name is Betsy Ingraham. I’m an attorney at the law firm of Garrison, Levin-Epstein, Fitzgerald & Pirrotti, and today, we’re going to be talking about what […]

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Jul 6 2022

Selling Your Business? Why You Might Want an Employment Lawyer

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh! Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda! What are we talking about today? DeMatteis: I thought we could talk about what to do if you are a small business […]

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Jun 15 2022

Post-Employment Restrictive Covenants

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh! Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda! What are we talking about today? DeMatteis: I think we should talk about “post-employment restrictive covenants.” What are they? What type of […]

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Jun 8 2022

How to Work From Home Like a Champ: Lessons from an Employment Lawyer

Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda! Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh! What are we talking about today? Goodbaum: Well, it’s June 2022; we are in yet another surge of the pandemic here in […]

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Jun 1 2022

What If You’re Hurt and Still Need to Work?

Betsy Ingraham: Hi, this is Betsy Ingraham, an attorney at the law firm of Garrison, Levin-Epstein, Fitzgerald & Pirrotti in New Haven, Connecticut, and we’re here today to talk about […]

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May 25 2022

FMLA Leave: What Happens Next?

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh! Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda! What are we talking about today? DeMatteis: I thought we could talk about the FMLA. So, a number of Connecticut employees, and […]

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May 18 2022

Paid Leave Benefits for Connecticut Employees

Josh Goodbaum: Hey, Amanda! Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. What are we going to talk about today? Goodbaum: I want to talk about Connecticut Paid Leave. This is a big thing […]

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May 5 2022

Employees on FMLA Leave: What You Can Do and What You Can’t Do

The Family and Medical Leave Act (or FMLA) allows qualified employees to take job-protected leave to care for their own or their family members’ serious health conditions. This means that […]

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Apr 6 2022

How to Increase a Disappointing Severance Offer

Stephen Fitzgerald: Hi, Nina. Nina Pirrotti: Hey, Steve! What are we going to talk about today? Fitzgerald: Well, I was thinking about the situations – you and I have experienced […]

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Mar 30 2022

Big Changes for Sexual Harassment & Assault Lawsuits

Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda! Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh! What are we going to talk about today? Goodbaum: I thought we could talk about sexual harassment and sexual assault. Obviously very […]

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Mar 25 2022

Non-Competes Are A Problem. Here’s What You Can Do.

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh! Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. What are we talking about today? DeMatteis: I thought we could talk about non-compete agreements. Non-competes affect so many employees in Connecticut […]

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Mar 23 2022

5 Steps If You Receive A Performance Improvement Plan From Your Employer

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh! Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. What are we talking about today? DeMatteis: I thought we could talk about performance improvement plans – always something that’s scary to […]

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Mar 14 2022

Do Connecticut FMLA Laws Apply to Workplace Anxiety Victims?

Amanda DeMatteis: I am here with my partner, Josh Goodbaum. We’re going to be talking to you today about the Family and Medical Leave Act. Josh Goodbaum: So, Amanda, I […]

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Mar 9 2022

Severance Agreements as Employment Begins

Nina Pirrotti: We’re going to talk about severance payments today, and this is something that we deal with all the time at the Garrison law firm. Many of our clients […]

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Mar 2 2022

Participating in a Workplace Investigation

Stephen Fitzgerald: Hi, Nina. Nina Pirrotti: Hey, Steve. Fitzgerald: Hi, so I understand today you’re going to be talking about workplace investigations. What are some pointers that you could offer […]

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Feb 23 2022

Collecting Email Evidence of Workplace Harassment

Joshua Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. What are we going to talk about today? Goodbaum: I thought we could talk about workplace harassment – obviously, a serious issue […]

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Feb 16 2022

Five Rules if You Want to Date a Coworker

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. What are we talking about today? DeMatteis: Well, I thought we would talk about Jeff Zucker, and I’ll just leave it at […]

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Feb 3 2022

“My Boss Is Sexually Harassing Me. Should I Secretly Record Him On My Phone?”

Many workplace sexual harassment cases ultimately boil down to conflicting stories offered by the accuser and the accused. A female employee says that her male boss repeatedly commented on her […]

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Feb 2 2022

What U.S. Supreme Court COVID Rulings Mean for Connecticut Employees in 2022

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh! Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda! What are we talking about today? DeMatteis: So, you know how we always love to keep Connecticut employees up to date on […]

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Jan 28 2022

Changes To Connecticut’s Family and Medical Leave Laws

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh! Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda! What are we talking about today? DeMatteis: I thought we could talk about the Connecticut Family and Medical Leave Act. This is […]

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Jan 19 2022

Thinking About Quitting Your Job? Tips from Connecticut Employment Lawyers

Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda! Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh! What are we talking about today? Goodbaum: I thought we could talk about the Great Resignation; we’ve heard a lot about that. […]

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Jan 14 2022

How the U.S. Supreme Court COVID Mandate Decisions Affect Connecticut Employees

In September 2021, President Biden announced what he called a “COVID-19 Action Plan” that included a number of so-called “mandates”: All employers with 100+ employees had to require their employees […]

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Jan 4 2022

2022 Brings Big Changes to Connecticut Employee Leave Laws

January 1 often marks the effective date of new laws enacted during previous legislative years.  For Connecticut employment lawyers who represent employees (as we do at Garrison, Levin-Epstein), the start […]

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Dec 22 2021

Should Employees Secretly Record Workplace Harassment?

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh! Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda! What are we going to talk about today? DeMatteis: So, I have an interesting one, I think. I had a client come […]

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Dec 15 2021

Taking Intermittent Leave While on FMLA Leave | What You Need To Know

Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda! Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. What are we talking about today? Goodbaum: I thought we could talk about the Family and Medical Leave Act, or the FMLA, […]

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Dec 8 2021

What Employees Can and Cannot Do During FMLA Leave

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh! Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. What are we talking about today? DeMatteis: Today, we’re talking about the Family and Medical Leave Act. This is a federal law, […]

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Dec 6 2021

12 Tips Before You Join The “Great Resignation”

Americans are quitting their jobs in record numbers, prompting many to dub 2021 the start of the “Great Resignation” or the “Big Quit.”  When it’ll end, of course, is anyone’s […]

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Dec 1 2021

Prerequisites to Filing an Employment Discrimination or Retaliation Claim in CT

Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. Amanda DeMatteis: Hey, Josh. I hear we’re talking about administrative agencies today. Goodbaum: Well, this is something that can be really confusing to non-lawyers and two […]

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Nov 19 2021

New Connecticut Law: An Act Concerning the Disclosure of Salary Range for a Vacant Position

It is always exciting when we have a new law in Connecticut that offers additional protections for our employees. “An Act Concerning the Disclosure of Salary Range for a Vacant […]

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Oct 26 2021

Connecticut Law: An Act Concerning the Disclosure of Salary Range for a Vacant Position

Joshua Goodbaum: Hi Amanda. Amanda DeMatteis: Hi Josh, what are we going talk about today? Goodbaum: I thought we could talk about an exciting new law that provides additional protection […]

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Sep 29 2021

What Workplace Sexual Harassment Victims in CT Need to Know

Josh Goodbaum: Hi Amanda. Amanda DeMatteis: Hi Josh, what are we gonna talk about today? Goodbaum: I thought we could talk about sexual harassment. Serious topic, obviously an important one. […]

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Sep 22 2021

Why Using A Fake Reference on a Job Application Is a Bad Idea

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi Josh. Josh Goodbaum: Hi Amanda, what are we talking about today? DeMatteis: Well, I thought we would talk about fake references. And this is actually something that […]

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Sep 16 2021

How President Biden’s New COVID Mandate Affects Connecticut Employees

On September 9, 2021, President Biden announced a new “COVID-19 Action Plan” that he says will help the country find a “path out of the pandemic.” The Plan has six […]

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Aug 16 2021

Why You Shouldn’t Use a Fake Professional Reference

I was scrolling through Instagram the other day – yes, lawyers procrastinate too – and I came across this post: I couldn’t tell whether it was trying to offer legal […]

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Aug 4 2021

Workers’ Compensation in CT | Can Getting Hurt Cause Employment Issues?

Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. Amanda DeMatteis: What are we going to talk about today? Goodbaum: I think we can talk about workers’ compensation and in particular, the employment status of […]

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Jul 27 2021

New Developments Surrounding Non-Compete Agreements

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi Josh. Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. What are we going talk about today? DeMatteis: Today, we’re going to talk about non-competes. There’s been a huge development in non-competes […]

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Jul 22 2021

Can Employers Force Pregnant Women to Get Vaccinated?

Josh Goodbaum: Hi Amanda. Amanda DeMatteis: Hi Josh. What are we going to talk about today? Josh Goodbaum: I thought we could return to the topic of COVID and vaccines […]

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Jul 22 2021

Transgender Rights

Although the LGBTQ community has experienced huge milestones in the last several years—most recently, the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2020 decision in Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia, which confirmed that federal […]

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Jul 21 2021

Answering the Basics about Medical Leave

Connecticut employees frequently contact us for legal advice about their right to medical leave and the consequences for taking a medical leave.  Here are some of the most common questions […]

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Jul 16 2021

Pregnancy and the COVID-19 Vaccine

Many Connecticut employees continue to wonder whether their employer can require them to get the COVID-19 vaccine. If you have been keeping up with the vaccine saga the last several […]

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Jul 13 2021

How the Legalization of Marijuana Affects Connecticut’s Employees

On June 22, 2021, Governor Ned Lamont signed into law the Responsible and Equitable Regulation of Adult-Use Cannabis Act (or RERACA), which broadly legalizes the adult use of cannabis in […]

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Jul 9 2021

Federal Action on Non-Competes Could Help Connecticut Workers

As the news has reported, President Joe Biden is signing an Executive Order that the White House hopes will promote competition in the economy.  One component of the Order instructs […]

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Jul 7 2021

The Federal Government Says Employers Can Mandate the COVID Vaccine, with Some Exceptions

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi Josh. Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda.  What are we talking about today? DeMatteis: I thought we would talk a bit about COVID-19 in the workplace, and although we’ve […]

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Jun 30 2021

What Protects Whistleblowers From Retaliation?

Nina Pirrotti: Hey Steve. Steve Fitzgerald: Hi Nina. Nina Pirrotti: I understand that we’re talking about whistleblowers today and in particular, a couple of Connecticut statutes that protect whistleblowers. Maybe […]

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Jun 17 2021

State lawmakers recently passed a new act about wage transparency. What does this mean for Connecticut employees?

You may have heard that, last week, Governor Lamont signed into law the Act Concerning the Disclosure of Salary Range for a Vacant Position.  The title of the law is […]

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Jun 16 2021

Separation and Severance Agreements | End Of Employment | What You Need To Know

Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. What are we going to talk about today?  Goodbaum: I thought we could talk about separation agreements or severance agreements. A lot […]

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Jun 8 2021

Non-Compete Agreements in CT

 Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. What are we talking about today? DeMatteis: Today we’re going to talk about non-compete agreements. Really typical scenario that I see […]

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May 20 2021

Performance Improvement Plans | What You Need To Know

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. DeMatteis: What are we going to chat about today? Goodbaum: I thought we could talk about performance improvement plans. So, people often […]

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May 19 2021

Hostile Work Environment? Here is Rule #1

 Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. What are we going to talk to Connecticut employees about today? Goodbaum: I thought we could talk about harassment and hostile […]

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May 17 2021

How to Find the RIGHT Employment Lawyer in CT

Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. What are we going to talk about today? Goodbaum: I thought we could talk about how people find lawyers and in particular, […]

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May 11 2021

How does COBRA work?

It is natural for a job layoff or termination – especially one that feels discriminatory, retaliatory, or just plain unfair – to bring a wave of emotions and questions about […]

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Apr 30 2021

New Law! The CROWN Act Protects CT Employees with Hairstyles Tied to Their Race

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh! Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda! What are we talking about today? DeMatteis: Well, we have some exciting news. On March 5, Governor [Ned] Lamont signed into law […]

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Apr 27 2021

How Does the American Rescue Plan Act Impact CT Employees?

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh! Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda! What are we talking about today? DeMatteis: Today, we’re back to the COVID-19 crisis and what the federal government is doing to […]

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Apr 15 2021

COVID-19 Vaccine & Returning to Work | Can You Be Forced To Get It?

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. DeMatteis: I hear we’re going to talk about some COVID-related issues today. Goodbaum: Yeah, so we’re living in the age of a […]

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Apr 12 2021

What is a Hostile Work Environment?

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, Josh. Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda. So, what are we talking about today? DeMatteis: Today, we’re talking about “hostile work environments.” So, typically, a potential client will come […]

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Apr 8 2021

Wrongful Termination in CT Explained

Josh Goodbaum: Hi, Amanda! Amanda DeMatteis: Hey, Josh. What are we going to talk about today? Goodbaum: I thought we could talk about “wrongful termination.” So, a lot of Connecticut […]

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Apr 6 2021

U.S. Department of Justice Says Bostock Extends to Title IX

The U.S. Supreme Court held in its 2020 opinion in Bostock v. Clayton County that the prohibition on sex discrimination in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 […]

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Mar 24 2021

Calling All Working Moms! Pregnancy and Motherhood Rights in the Workplace | CT Employment Law

Josh Goodbaum: Hi, this is Josh Goodbaum! Amanda DeMatteis: Hey! And Amanda DeMatteis! Josh, what are we going to talk about today? Josh Goodbaum: Well, I thought, Amanda, because you […]

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Mar 22 2021

Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA) | What Connecticut Employees Need to Know and How They Can Use FMLA.

Amanda DeMatteis: Hi, there. It’s Amanda DeMatteis. Josh Goodbaum: Hi! Amanda DeMatteis: I’m here with my partner Josh Goodbaum. We’re going to be talking to you today about the Family […]

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Mar 12 2021

Uncertainty About Unemployment

March 2021 is here. It’s alarming to think that this month marks one year since Connecticut confirmed its first COVID-19 case, shut down its schools, and – most notably – […]

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Feb 12 2021

Railroad Worker Injuries:  The Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA)

If you have been injured on the job while working for Metro North, Amtrak, the Long Island Railroad, PATH, or New Jersey Transit, you may be surprised to learn that […]

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Feb 9 2021

Consensual Romantic Relationships at Work: Tips from an Employment Lawyer

Office romance is a fact of life.  Just ask the millions of Americans who have watched Grey’s Anatomy over its 16-plus seasons.  As enticing as workplace romantic relationships might seem […]

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Feb 2 2021

Using the ADA

“I’m afraid to request an accommodation under the ADA, because I’m afraid that my employer will treat me differently when it knows about my disability.” This is a common question […]

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Jan 27 2021

What to do if you receive a Performance Improvement Plan?

A performance improvement plan, commonly referred to as a PIP, is a tool employers use to give employees with performance deficiencies the opportunity to correct them. Unfortunately, though, some employers […]

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Jan 26 2021

What is Wrongful Termination?

Many people call us and say, “I was wrongfully terminated.” But what does that mean? And is it true? Was your termination wrongful? Think of wrongful termination like a big […]

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Jan 18 2021

Google’s Most Asked Questions About Employment Law, Part 4

Can employers assign mandatory overtime? For the most part, yes. Employers are allowed to make the ability to work overtime – even without notice – a condition of employment. There […]

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Jan 17 2021

Google’s Most Asked Questions about Employment Law, Part 3

How does the Supreme Court Case Bostock v. Clayton County impact employment law? In Bostock, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the language in Title VII of the Civil Rights […]

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Jan 11 2021

Can Connecticut Employees Be Required to Get a COVID-19 Vaccine?

As our world continues to face this unprecedented health crisis and with the FDA’s recent approval of a vaccine, many Connecticut employees are wondering whether their employers can require them […]

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Dec 9 2020

The Dialogue: COVID-19 Vaccines and Employers, Pandemic Issues and 2021 Predictions

As it appeared on the Employment Law Blog By Daniel Schwartz I had the opportunity to record another webcast recently with New Haven attorney Nina Pirrotti, who mainly represents employees in her […]

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Sep 16 2020

Google’s Most Asked Questions about Employment Law, Part 2

How does employment law protect employees? At its most basic level, employment law circumscribes the employment relationship. Or, put another way, it says what employers can and cannot do vis-à-vis […]

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Jul 30 2020

Google’s Most Asked Questions about Employment Law, Part 1

What is employment law? Generally speaking, “employment law” is the constellation of constitutions, statutes, regulations, and legal cases that governs the relationship between individual employees and their employers.  If you […]

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Jun 8 2020

The Dialogue: Employment Law Issues and Returning to Work In Midst of Pandemic

As it appeared on the Employment Law Blog By Daniel Schwartz The last time that I spoke with Plaintiff’s attorney Nina Pirrotti, the pandemic was just beginning and we were […]

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May 18 2020

Non-Competes in the COVID-19 Era

Many employers require their employees to sign non-compete agreements, either upon hiring or during the course of employment.  A non-compete agreement – for those who are unfamiliar – is a […]

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May 13 2020

May 20 is Around the Corner, and I’m Scared to Go Back to Work

For the last two months, our Connecticut communities have been shaken by the COVID-19 pandemic.  As of today (May 13), there have been 34,333 confirmed COVID-19 cases; there are 1,189 […]

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May 11 2020

Racial Discrimination During COVID-19

Global emergencies have the potential to bring out the best and worst in people, and COVID-19 is no different.  While the pandemic has brought many people together in pursuit of […]

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Apr 13 2020

Update on Connecticut Employment Legislation: Time’s Up Act

In October 2019, the State of Connecticut marked the effective date of its new Time’s Up Act – enacted in the summer of 2019 named for the national and global […]

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Apr 7 2020

Taking FMLA Leave? What You Need to Disclose to Your Employer

Changes to Connecticut Family and Medical Leave Act Effective January 1, 2022. Learn more. You may already understand when FMLA leave comes into play.  The federal Family and Medical Leave […]

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Apr 3 2020

COVID-19 Rescue Bill Boosts Unemployment: How to File

COVID-19 is causing record numbers of Americans to apply for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits. Since March 23, over 504,000 people in Connecticut applied for UI benefits. In the last two […]

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Mar 27 2020

The Dialogue: Employment Law in Pandemic Times

As it appeared on the Connecticut Employment Law Blog By Daniel Schwartz From time to time, I have a conversation on this blog (titled “The Dialogue”) with Nina Pirrotti, a […]

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Feb 11 2020

Severance Packages: Unpacking The Basics

As an employee rights law firm, we frequently handle cases involving the negotiation of severance agreements. These documents can be long and tedious, and you are right to be concerned […]

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Feb 4 2020

Law Basics: What is a Lawsuit?

You may find yourself in the midst of a lawsuit for an employment issue, criminal charge, or even personal injury. While you are concerned about your own well-being and rightfully […]

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Jan 17 2020

As the Connecticut Workforce Ages, Age Discrimination Law Must Evolve

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, by 2024, nearly 1 in 4 people in the labor force will be age 55 or older. The median age of Baby Boomers, […]

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Dec 3 2019

The Dialogue: A Busy Year in Employment Law in 2019 with a Look Ahead to 2020

As it appeared on The Connecticut Employment Law Blog By Daniel Schwartz It’s been far too long since our last installment from March 2019, but my ongoing dialogue with Nina Pirrotti, a prominent […]

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Aug 30 2019

What to Expect When You Consult an Employment Lawyer

Most people who come to our office seeking an employment lawyer have concerns about the actions of their employer.  These concerns involve issues that are wide-reaching: termination, harassment, demotion, discriminatory […]

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Jul 18 2019

Religious Discrimination in the Workplace: What You Need to Know

In the last twenty years, reports of religious discrimination have more than doubled. While at least one survey finds the number of people experiencing bias because of their religious beliefs […]

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Jul 15 2019

Overtime Compensation Concerns? Overtime Is Complicated, But Achievable

If you are paid by the hour, your livelihood may, in part, be dependent on your overtime income. When it comes to overtime compensation, employers are required to follow both […]

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Mar 18 2019

The Dialogue: Listening to Employee-Side Attorneys For Employer Tips About #MeToo

As it appeared on The Connecticut Employment Law Blog By Daniel Schwartz Readers of the blog will no doubt know that it’s been far too long since I had Nina […]

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Mar 14 2019

Have You Been Placed on a Performance Improvement Plan?

Big Picture Perspective on a Difficult Situation In an ideal world, an employer will facilitate and support an employee’s ability to grow, thrive, and succeed at work. By performing well, […]

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Feb 11 2019

What the Connecticut Legislature Can Do to Prevent Sexual Harassment

At Garrison, Levin-Epstein, Fitzgerald & Pirrotti, P.C., we have been advocating for workers for more than 40 years.  We are proud to have represented countless employees who have experienced workplace […]

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Feb 7 2019

Immigration, Ethnicity, and Language – Protecting Your Workplace Rights Based on Your National Origin

The United States is home to more immigrants than any other country in the world.  In fact, more than 40 million immigrants live in the United States, nearly quadruple the […]

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Jan 31 2019

Damaging Workplace Retaliation and What to Do if It Happens to You

Since 2009, nearly half of all complaints filed with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission allege retaliation. What is retaliation, and why are 44% to 48% of alleged workplace […]

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Jan 28 2019

What You Need to Know About Non-Compete Agreements

Non-compete agreements were originally intended to protect companies from losing market share or other private information if their executives took a job with a competitor. The idea is that company […]

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Jan 23 2019

Pregnancy: Know the Scope of Your Rights at Work

The dawn of 2019 may be a good time to think about the milestones ahead.  For some women, one such milestone may be pregnancy.  Becoming pregnant may raise lots of […]

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Dec 17 2018

Identifying The Protections And Nuances To Your Employee Whistleblower Claim

It is unfortunate, but true, that violations of the laws, regulations, and municipal ordinances occur in the workplace.  These violations could transpire in any number of ways: by a rogue […]

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Dec 12 2018

Are Non-Compete Agreements Enforceable for Independent Contractors?

People commonly sign employment contracts to provide services without thinking critically about whether those contracts contain a non-compete clause. Employees hopefully know that they should be cautious about signing a […]

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Oct 31 2018

Does Title IX Apply to Off-Campus Conduct?

On the surface, Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 is straightforward. The federal law states, “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, […]

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Oct 30 2018

How to Get the Most Out of Your Employment Handbook

It is a common practice for employers to give handbooks to their new employees when they start work. But, as an employee, how often do you actually look at the […]

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Oct 9 2018

What’s Sauce For The Goose…

Consumers and employees often believe that mandatory arbitration clauses drag them into a forum they didn’t choose, to be heard before an arbitrator whose powers are virtually unreviewable, who will […]

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Oct 2 2018

Enforcement Of “Customized” Arbitration Agreements

One benefit of arbitration is that parties of equal bargaining power can provide for a method of settling disputes which is alternative to the court system.  A negotiated arbitration agreement, […]

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Sep 25 2018

What Arbitration Clause? Illiteracy As A Defense To Arbitration

I admit I was surprised to find that a person can agree to a written arbitration clause, even though he or she is illiterate. I was even more surprised to […]

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Sep 24 2018

10 Common Questions about Employment Contracts

Our previous blog posts, “10 Common Questions about Severance Agreements” and “10 (More) Common Questions about Severance Agreements,” have helped a number of people who are trying to negotiate their […]

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Sep 18 2018

Mafia Should Have Used Binding Class Action Waivers

“Payday loans” are a modern device intended to avoid interest rate regulations and financial disclosure laws.  So-called “salary lenders” who engage in these predatory loan arrangements concentrate on low-income families […]

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Sep 11 2018

It’s My Game, But I’m Not Playing

I love the names companies use to label the mandatory arbitration programs they impose on their employees.  Today, we can enjoy the workings of the “Fairness in Action Program” used […]

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Sep 4 2018

I Lost My Right to A Jury Trial?

The notice it takes to evaporate a jury trial right is minimal. Blind people, by not asking the right questions of an unscrupulous lender, “consented” to arbitration. Envelope stuffers announce […]

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Aug 31 2018

Medical Marijuana and Employment Law in Connecticut

Medical marijuana has been legal in Connecticut for a number of years now, but if you are employed in the state and legally use medical marijuana, how does it affect […]

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Jun 25 2018

The Persistence of Age Discrimination

George Burns said it well. “You can’t help getting older, but you don’t have to get old.” That quote may ring true for many of Connecticut’s more mature employees. Your […]

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Apr 16 2018

What You Need to Know about Sick Leave in CT

A couple of years ago, National Public Radio, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health polled working adults concerning how their health impacts […]

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Apr 12 2018

10 (More) Common Questions about Severance Agreements

Our previous blog post, “10 Common Questions about Severance Agreements,” seems to be attracting a lot of attention. But apparently, there are more than 10 frequently asked questions about severance […]

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Apr 3 2018

Is Drug and Alcohol Addiction Covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act?

We often hear that addiction is no different from any other chronic illness, like diabetes or heart disease or cancer. That may be true in the real world, but in […]

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Mar 27 2018

Can an Employer Require Employees to Speak Only English?

The United States is known as the world’s “melting pot,” with people from every corner of the globe and every culture and background who call our country home. Not surprisingly, […]

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Mar 26 2018

Large-Scale Layoffs and the WARN Act

Due to the ups and (specifically) downs of the U.S. economy over recent years, including the increasing outsourcing of manufacturing and other job sectors, a number of employers have downsized […]

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Mar 23 2018

Weight Discrimination: Is It Real?

Discrimination is an all-too-sad reality for many employees around the country, including here in Connecticut. Many people know that discrimination on the basis of race, skin color, religion, or gender […]

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Mar 21 2018

Understanding the Hostile Work Environment

You’ve probably heard the term “hostile work environment,” but do you know what it means? Some people think it’s just an overbearing boss. But a boss does not create a […]

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Feb 12 2018

Filing a Discrimination or Retaliation Claim in Connecticut

Federal and Connecticut law prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of a number of inherent characteristics or traits, including age, race, color, sex (or gender), physical or mental disability, national […]

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Feb 12 2018

The Gender Wage Gap Is Widening, Not Shrinking

It’s 2018. Women have been equal to men under U.S. and Connecticut employment laws for more than 50 years. And yet equality on paper still has not translated to equality […]

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Jan 26 2018

“Labor” & “Employment” Lawyers – or “Labor Law” versus “Employment Law”

The law can be a mysterious field to many lay people, not least because of all the technical words we lawyers use — words like “jurisdiction,” “affidavit,” or “hearsay.”  This […]

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Jan 24 2018

What You Can Do to Stop Sexual Harassment

The #MeToo movement has taken the nation by storm over the past few months, and Connecticut is no exception. As victims and survivors are courageously stepping out of the silence […]

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Jan 15 2018

Did Your Employer Retaliate Against You? What You Need to Know

If you find out that your employer has broken the law, you might feel obligated to report it. And if you do, you will become what is often called a […]

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Jan 10 2018

The Dialogue: The Shifts That #MeToo Are Creating in the Workplace

This text originally appeared on Connecticut Employment Law Blog By Daniel Schwartz on January 10th, 2018. After a break for the holidays, my long-running discussion with Nina Pirrotti, an employee-side […]

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Jan 3 2018

What is Disability Discrimination in the Workplace?

The increased awareness of sexual harassment and misconduct that swept the country in 2017 is an overwhelmingly positive development for Connecticut’s employees. However, if the #MeToo movement has a downside, […]

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Dec 22 2017

Happy Holidays from Garrison!

On behalf of all the attorneys and staff at Garrison, Levin-Epstein, Fitzgerald & Pirrotti, P.C., we wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas and happy holiday season. […]

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Dec 8 2017

Server and Bartender Wage Violations: Know Your Rights

Across the country, most jobs require the employer to pay a set minimum hourly wage. In Connecticut, that minimum wage is $10.10 per hour worked, not including tax. However, the […]

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Dec 5 2017

What to Do If You Are Being Sexually Harassed

Connecticut’s workers have watched in wonder over the past few months as employee after employee has come forward on the national stage to say that they were subjected to sexual […]

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Dec 1 2017

A Reminder About What Constitutes Sexual Harassment

With the stunning news that Matt Lauer was fired from NBC’s Today morning television program earlier this week amid allegations of sexual misconduct brought forward by his former colleagues, it […]

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Nov 17 2017

Don’t Get Cheated Out of Overtime Pay in Connecticut

In Connecticut, state and federal laws require workers to be properly paid for doing their job. Employers must pay overtime premiums, which is time and a half, to certain workers […]

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Nov 3 2017

Spotting Racial Discrimination in the Workplace

Race relations remain a consistent discussion topic in our country. Certain types of discrimination, and where it happens, are not tolerated and against the law. Racial discrimination is one of […]

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Oct 19 2017

Yes, Pregnancy Discrimination is Real

When we hear the term employment discrimination, our first thoughts may be a woman not getting paid the same amount as a male counterpart, or being treated adversely because of […]

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Oct 5 2017

The Dialogue: About Firing Employees and Negotiating Severance Agreements

This text originally appeared on Connecticut Employment Law Blog By Daniel Schwartz on October 5th , 2017 The Dialogue – an occasional online discussion between myself and a prominent employee-side […]

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Sep 28 2017

How Can You Spot Age Discrimination?

With more and more older employees staying in or returning to the workforce after their traditional “retirement age,” claims of age discrimination have steadily increased over the past 10 years. […]

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Sep 22 2017

Can a Non-Compete Agreement Be Enforced?

Employers sometimes ask or even require new employees to sign non-competition (or non-compete) agreements as a condition of employment. Because these agreements typically continue in effect after the employment ends, […]

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Sep 15 2017

What to Do If You See Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

Just do a quick internet search and you can find many websites that discuss what you should do if you’re being sexually harassed at work. But what if you’re the […]

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Sep 8 2017

Does My Family Leave Qualify for FMLA?

The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 is a federal law that requires employers with a minimum number of employees to provide their employees unpaid leave for medical and […]

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Sep 1 2017

Female Lawyers Aren’t Immune to Gender Discrimination

We all wish that discrimination on the basis of sex was a thing of the past.  Unfortunately, wishing doesn’t make it so, and Connecticut and our nation still have a […]

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Aug 18 2017

What is Considered Wrongful Termination?

Being fired from your job is an extremely stressful experience. It is also a deeply unsettling and confusing one. Your mind is filled with questions: “What will happen to my […]

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Aug 11 2017

Forced Arbitration Agreements Can Hurt an Employee in the End

In the 2001 case of Circuit City Stores, Inc. v. Adams, the United States Supreme Court concluded that the federal law governing arbitration can be applied to employment contracts. The […]

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Aug 4 2017

What Do You Need to Prove Your Employment Discrimination Case?

If you believe you are being discriminated against or harassed at work because of your race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, or disability or are being retaliated against […]

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Jul 17 2017

10 Common Questions about Severance Agreements

If you just received a severance agreement from your employer (or think you soon might), this Employee Rights Blog post is for you. 1. Why is the agreement so long? […]

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Jun 26 2017

The Dialogue: Sex Harassment in the Workplace — Still an Issue, but How Much?

This text originally appeared on Connecticut Employment Law Blog By Daniel Schwartz on June 26th, 2017 The Dialogue, a online conversation between yours truly and a prominent employee-side attorney, Nina Pirrotti, […]

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Apr 24 2017

The Dialogue: Workplace Complaints and Happy Endings As Rare As Unicorn Frappuccinos?

This text originally appeared on Connecticut Employment Law Blog By Daniel Schwartz on April 24th, 2017 The Dialogue — one of the more popular recurring posts — returns for the third […]

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Mar 14 2017

The Dialogue: What Legislation We’re Keeping Our Eyes On

This text originally appeared on Connecticut Employment Law Blog By Daniel Schwartz on March 14th, 2017 If at first you succeed, try it again.  Well, that may not be how […]

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Jan 27 2017

The Dialogue: Hiring Employees the Right Way (From Different Sides)

This text originally appeared on the Connecticut Employment Law Blog By Daniel Schwartz on January 27th, 2017 I’ll confess. I’m excited about today’s post.  It’s hard to find something new […]

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You will never meet a more knowledgeable and compassionate professional than Steve Fitzgerald. My employment situation was very complex, and Attorney Fitzgerald kept me focused while remaining extremely adept and “thinking on his feet.” Should the need present itself again, I would never seek anyone else’s counsel regarding employment issues. I cannot recommend him highly enough. — J.R., New Haven, CT

Nina Pirrotti provided outstanding legal advice and was trustworthy, dependable, and responsive. From the start, I was confident that her knowledge and experience would obtain favorable results. On a more personal note, I enjoyed working with her and her staff and felt I was included in every part of the process. The dedication, concern, and interest in me as a client was greatly appreciated, and Nina has earned my highest recommendation. — J.H., Monroe, CT

Josh Goodbaum truly outperformed my expectations. He was calm and steadfast throughout the entire process. He is a great communicator. Together, we were able to lay out a plan that in the end, not only got myself the outcome I was hoping for, but undoubtedly saved me valuable time and money as well. I cannot thank Josh and his firm enough for coming through for me in this time of uncertainty and stress.  — D.T.

When I go to a lawyer for advice, I am usually anxious, particularly the first meeting. Amanda DeMatteis was clear in describing my options and immediately set me at ease. Realistic assessment is important, and Amanda was clear as to how to set up the case and the direction she felt we should go. I had total confidence in her abilities and knew I was being well represented against a large corporation. More importantly, we were successful! — N.M., Haddam, CT

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