Unemployment rights
Under the Unemployment Compensation Act, you have a legal right to file a claim for unemployment benefits and testify on behalf of anyone else filing an unemployment claim. It’s illegal for an employer to discharge, discipline, penalize, or discriminate against anyone who filed a claim for benefits, testified in an unemployment compensation hearing, or exercised any right afforded by the Unemployment Compensation Act. You also cannot waive your right to file for unemployment benefits.
Any person who believes they were discharged, disciplined, penalized, or discriminated against in retaliation for exercising their rights may file a written complaint to the Labor Commissioner. The Department of Labor may conduct hearings and award appropriate relief, including reasonable attorney’s fees, if you prevail. All complaints should be mailed to:
Connecticut Department of Labor
Attn: Legal Division
200 Folly Brook Boulevard
Wethersfield, Connecticut 06109-1114
You can also email complaints to DOL.LegalDivision@ct.gov.