The Employment Rights division of this Section devotes a substantial amount of its resources to defending state agencies, including the University of Connecticut, the UCONN Health Center, the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities, and state officials in employment related litigation and administrative complaints. Its staff continues to work to effectively defend employment claims against the state and state officials – thereby limiting or avoiding the state's exposure to financial liability and other costs associated with litigation -- while ensuring protection of employees' legitimate legal rights. The section also regularly provides legal advice and counsel, both orally and in writing, to state agencies on a variety of employment matters.
The Labor and Workers' Compensation division of this Section represents the State Treasurer as the Custodian of the Second Injury Fund, the Workers' Compensation Commission and the Department of Administrative Services in its capacity as the administrator of the state employees' workers' compensation program, as well as DAS Personnel, the Labor Department, the Office of Labor Relations, the Office of the Claims Commissioner, the State Employees Retirement Commission, the Teachers' Retirement Board, and others. The section's workers' compensation attorneys and paralegals represent the Second Injury Fund in cases involving potential liability of the Fund for workers' compensation benefits and the State of Connecticut in contested workers' compensation claims filed by state employees. The section's workers' compensation attorneys and paralegals also devote significant time to third party tortfeasor cases that result in the recovery of money for the State and the Fund, as well as handling a large number of appeals to the Compensation Review Board and the Appellate and Supreme Courts.
The section's labor attorneys represent various state agencies before administrative agencies such as the Freedom of Information Commissioner and the Claims Commissioner, as well as represent the State in Superior Court when administrative appeals are taken from entities such as the Employees’ Review Board and the Employment Security Appeals Division. The labor attorneys represent the Commissioner of Labor in Superior Court when they initiate collection proceedings for unpaid wages due Connecticut employees in the private sector, and for the recoupment of civil penalties assessed for wage and hour violations. In addition, the section’s labor attorneys conduct extensive document review and handle appeals to both the Appellate and Supreme Court.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Employment Rights Unit represent employees of private companies in legal disputes against their employers?
No. The Employment Rights Unit only defends the state, its agencies and officers in employment disputes. However, private employees seeking to obtain more information about their rights under the State’s employments laws can contact the Connecticut Department of Labor’s Employee Assistance Unit at (860) 263-6785
Does the Employment Rights Unit represent state employees with grievances or other employment-related disputes with managers or agencies?
No. The Employment Rights Unit only defends the state, its agencies and officers in employment disputes
Useful Links
If you are looking for information regarding a complaint involving your private employer, you can seek assistance at the Department of Labor's website.
If you believe that you have been harassed or that you have been unfairly treated by your employer and believe that your Civil Rights have been violated, you can file a complaint with the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities ("CHRO"). If you want to contact someone at that agency, they can be reached at (860) 541-3400 or visit the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities Website.