Bill Mandates Employee Work Periods

The Connecticut legislature’s Labor and Public Employees Committee is considering a proposal mandating the number of consecutive days an employee can work.

SB 489 is one of a series of proposed mandates raised by the committee this session.

The bill prohibits employers from requiring employees to work more than six consecutive days without a day off during such six-day period. 

CBIA testified in opposition to the bill, noting that while most employers already follow this practice, there are certain industries where such an inflexible policy would interfere with necessary non-traditional scheduling arrangements.

Rarely are such arrangements, which are often the subject of collective bargaining agreements, a surprise to employees.

Workers in such arrangements often receive extended leave after the job is completed or premium pay during such extended work periods. 

Public Health, Safety

SB 489 could also jeopardize public health or safety during a crisis.

For example, a spike in illnesses could necessitate extended work periods for healthcare providers, or a major weather event could require utility repair crews to work longer work periods to restore power. 

The bill also threatens to create further difficulties for Connecticut businesses suffering from the workforce shortage.

The bill also threatens to create further difficulties for businesses suffering from the workforce shortage.

Eighty-seven percent of Connecticut manufacturers report difficulty finding and retaining employees, including major flagship industries with federal contracts that support hundreds of supply chain businesses in the state. 

The committee is expected to approve the bill and send it to the state House.

Impacted employers should urge their state lawmakers to oppose the measure.

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For more information, contact CBIA’s Eric Gjede (860.480.1784) | @egjede.