The 2022 Regular Session of the Connecticut General Assembly concluded on May 4, 2022. 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. (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.
EMPLOYEE FREE SPEECH AND “CAPTIVE AUDIENCES”
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. 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...
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim says his unfounded claim that Coun. Sean Orr distributed illegal drugs didn't damage his reputation, because Orr's own previous statements showed he "supported drug use." S...