In addition to these so-called “captive audience” provisions, the Act amends the state statute protecting employees from discipline or discharge due to their exercise of free speech (Connecticut General Statutes §31-51q) by limiting the damages available under it to lost wages/compensation, and thus eliminates any right to punitive damages, although attorney’s fees/costs remain available. The Act also does not apply to a religious corporation, entity, association, educational institution, or society that is exempt from the requirements of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 or the Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act with respect to speech on religious matters to employees who perform work connected with such entities’ activities. This Act does NOT prohibit: 1) Employers from communicating to their employees any information that the employer is required by law to communicate or is necessary for employees to perform their job duties 2) institutions of higher education from meeting or communicating with employees as part of coursework, symposia, or an academic program at the institution 3) “casual conversations” between employees (or a single employee) and an agent/representative of an employer, provided that participation in the conversations is not required or 4) a requirement limited to an employer's managerial and supervisory employees. Public Act 22-24 (“An Act Protecting Employee Freedom Of Speech And Conscience”), which takes effect on July 1, 2022, prohibits employers from requiring employees to attend meetings (or listen to speech or view communications) sponsored by the employer, the primary purpose of which is to communicate the employer's opinion concerning religious or political matters. (We consider it particularly noteworthy that efforts to significantly restrict the use of covenants not to compete by most Connecticut employers were unsuccessful.) The following are brief descriptions of some of these employment-related bills, all of which have been signed by the Governor.ĮMPLOYEE FREE SPEECH AND “CAPTIVE AUDIENCES”
#Surviving the aftermath build order full#
While not as groundbreaking as the two last full legislative sessions, and while many far-reaching bills that emerged from committee were not passed by the legislature, important bills regarding employee free speech (i.e., the much vaunted “captive audiences” legislation) and employment protections with respect to domestic violence were enacted. The 2022 Regular Session of the Connecticut General Assembly concluded on May 4, 2022.
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