August 6, 2015

It is now illegal for Connecticut employers to prohibit employees from sharing wage information.  An act concerning Pay Equity and Fairness became law in Connecticut on July 1, 2015.

The law protects all employees whether managerial, supervisory or otherwise.

Employers can no longer prohibit employees from:

  • disclosing or discussing the amount of their wages;
  • disclosing or discussing the wages of a co-worker that have been disclosed voluntarily by that co-worker;
  • inquiring about the wages of another employee of such employer.

Further, employers are prohibited from discharging, disciplining, discriminating against, retaliating against, or otherwise penalizing any employee who:

  • discloses or discusses the amount of his or her wages or the voluntarily disclosed wages of a co-worker; or
  • inquiries about the wages of a co-worker.

However, under the law, no employer or employee will be required to disclose the wages of any employee.

The law provides for enforcement by a private right of action, without exhaustion of administrative remedies.  An employer that violates the law may be liable for compensatory and punitive damages, as well as attorney’s fees, costs, and other relief as the court deems  just and proper.