Military Leave Obligations Expanded for Connecticut Employers
Author: Melissa Burdorf, XpertHR Legal Editor
June 3, 2013
Effective October 1, 2013, Connecticut employers will be required to provide military leave protection to individuals performing military duties (such as attendance at meetings or drills) in Connecticut's armed forces. The armed forces include the organized militia, National Guard, naval militia and naval militia's Marine Corps branch. +2013 Bill Text CT S.B. 835.
This amended law expands beyond Connecticut's current obligations for employers to provide a leave of absence to employees who are required to attend US reserves or National Guard meetings or drills during regular working hours.
Current prohibitions will continue to apply. Specifically, employers cannot:
- Directly or indirectly reduce or revoke an employee's vacation or holiday privileges because of military duty-related leave; and
- Take actions that would adversely impact an employee's chance of promotion, continued employment or reemployment because of the military leave.
Prior to October 1, employers should consider doing the following:
- Review and revise any leave, antidiscrimination and/or payroll/benefits policies to ensure they comply with the amended law; and
- Train HR, supervisors and other employees involved in reviewing leave requests on the amended law's requirements.
Additional Resources
Employee Handbooks - Work Rules - Employee Conduct: Connecticut