Bill Will Take Away Employers’ Flexibility, Increase Costs

A proposal in the legislature will increase Connecticut’s  already high cost of doing business by eliminating employers’ scheduling flexibility. 

As employers and the state both try to become more efficient and effective, HB 6877 goes in the opposite direction—requiring job creators to pay people currently performing any amount of janitorial work for a 30-hour work week.

This would even apply to janitors whose services are contracted for and not directly employed by the business.

And that’s even if the employer doesn’t need that amount of services, or even if the worker doesn’t want 30 hours at that location.     

HB 6877applies to job creators with a total of 100,000 sq ft. of offices in one or more locations, a multifamily dwelling consisting of 50 or more units and at least one elevator, and others. 

Promoters of the bill want to force the 30 hours of work a week so that it triggers additional mandates under union contracts.

Further, they argue for HB 6877 while knowing full well that it will result in the loss of jobs in the state.   

While some might benefit, businesses will once again be required to absorb the costs and burdens associated with the bill. 

Connecticut needs to encourage private-sector investment in our state and not add additional barriers—like this one—to job growth.

Let’s remember that Connecticut is losing population, still lagging the nation in job recovery and creation, and still one of the most expensive states to live in.

Connecticut can do better; legislators need to reject costly mandates and work to #MoveCTUp.

For more information, contact CBIA’s Eric Gjede at 860.244.1931 | eric.gjede@cbia.com | @egjede