ARTICLE
9 July 2021

From "Mandatory" To "Recommended" - What Employers Need To Know About Connecticut's Changes To Its Sector Rules

SG
Shipman & Goodwin LLP

Contributor

Shipman & Goodwin’s value lies in our commitment -- to our clients, to the profession and to the community. We have one goal: to help our clients achieve their goals. How we accomplish it is simple: we devote our considerable experience and depth of knowledge to understand each client’s unique needs, business and industry, and then we develop solutions to meet those needs. Clients turn to us when they need a trusted advisor. With our invaluable awareness of each client’s challenges, we can counsel them at every step -- to keep their operations running smoothly, help them navigate complex business transactions, position them for future growth, or resolve business disputes. The success of our clients is of primary importance to us and our attorneys invest meaningful time getting to know the client's business and are skilled in the practice areas and industry sectors critical to that success. With more than 175 attorneys in offices throughout Connecticut, New York and in Washington, DC, we serve the needs of
Effective Friday, March 19, many of the mandatory practices that Connecticut required businesses to follow in order to reopen during the pandemic changed to recommended best practices.
United States Connecticut Employment and HR

Effective Friday, March 19, many of the mandatory practices that Connecticut required businesses to follow in order to reopen during the pandemic changed to recommended best practices. Under the prior guidance, Connecticut businesses were required to:

  • Follow CDC cleaning and disinfecting guidelines;
  • Require masks in all public settings where social distancing is not possible;
  • Require social distancing and six feet spacing, where possible (unless otherwise noted).

As of March 19 employers are recommended to:

  • Continue to support local public health contact tracing efforts, such as maintaining a log of employees on-premises each day;
  • Continue to encourage employees who feel unwell to remain home and encourage employees to work from home, if possible. In the event that an employee tests positive for COVID-19, employees shall inform their employers and follow state testing and contact tracing protocols;
  • Continue using social distance markers and signage and one-way traffic patterns;
  • Work to improve ventilation by increasing the percentage of outdoor air that circulates into the air system or to use window ventilation units;
  • Post clear signage that includes the state hotline (211), which employees and customers can call to report potential violations of sector rules.
  • While not required, businesses have the right to refuse service from customers who are not wearing masks.

Further, while capacity limits have been restored to 100%, this limit is subject to social distancing requirements.

Interestingly, the "best practices" published on the DECD website make heavy use of the word "encouraged." It is not yet clear if the State intends to penalize employers who choose not to follow these recommended best practices, and the rules on the DECD website still supersede any conflicting recommended best practices. However, prudent employers should follow these recommended best practices as if they were mandated rules, absent good reason. Connecticut businesses can bring more employees back to the workplace as of March 19, but, as the pandemic continues to unfold and the health risks posed by a full-capacity workplace are not fully known, employers may wish to proceed with caution as they consider bringing employees back to the office.

Originally published March 24, 2021

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

See More Popular Content From

Mondaq uses cookies on this website. By using our website you agree to our use of cookies as set out in our Privacy Policy.

Learn More