Connecticut

Connecticut Prohibits Pay Secrecy 

Summary

Overview: Connecticut has passed a law which encourages wage transparency by barring employers from prohibiting employees from voluntarily discussing their wages with other employees and/or with third parties.

Coverage: All employers employing employees in Connecticut.

Effective Date: Currently in effect.

Action Required: Review the details below and contact your Human Resources Business Partner for assistance as needed.

The Details

Under the law employers cannot:

(1) Prohibit an employee from disclosing or discussing the amount of his or her wages or the wages of another employee of an employer that have been disclosed voluntarily by such other employee;

(2) Prohibit an employee from inquiring about the wages of another employee of such employer;

(3) Require an employee to sign a waiver or other document that denies the employee his or her right to disclose or discuss the amount of his or her wages or the wages of another employee of such employer that have been disclosed voluntarily by such other employee;

(4) Require an employee to sign a waiver or other document that denies the employee his or her right to inquire about the wages of another employee of such employer;

(5) Discharge, discipline, discriminate against, retaliate against or otherwise penalize any employee who discloses or discusses the amount of his or her wages or the wages of another employee of such employer that have been disclosed voluntarily by such other employee; or

(6) Discharge, discipline, discriminate against, retaliate against or otherwise penalize any employee who inquires about the wages of another employee of such employer.

The law does not require an employer or employee to disclose the amount of wages paid to any employee.

Federal Law vs. State Law

The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) guarantees employees, whether unionized or not, the right to engage in “concerted activities for mutual aid or protection.” This has been interpreted to provide two or more employees the right to discuss their pay and wages.   Supervisors and managers are generally not covered under the NLRA.   The new Connecticut does not exclude managers and supervisors from coverage.   Therefore all employees (including managers and supervisors) working in Connecticut are now afforded protection that is similar to NLRA.