Newman Creed & Associates
99 North Street
Bristol, CT 06010
860-583-5200
Toll-Free: 888-300-4469
Fax: 860-582-0012
Employment Law
Frequently Asked Questions
Employment Law
Q: What is an employee at-will?
A: An employee at-will is a category that most workers and laborers in the United States fall under, as it comprises all of those people that work without a specific contract of employment. While contractual terms may be implied, the general rule is that an individual who is hired to work, without any more representations, will be deemed an employee at-will.
Q: Can an employee at-will be fired at any time for any reason?
A: Generally speaking, an individual without a specific term of employment may be terminated at any time for any reason that is not in violation of public policy, the Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act or the Federal Discrimination Statutes. Nevertheless, in certain contexts, promises are made to employees during the course of their work, which must be kept, and in other cases memos, correspondences and oral assurances to employees may constitute implied contractual terms. Further, should any action by an employer have a disparate impact on a protected class of individuals, then that conduct may be actionable under state and federal law.
Q: What is the CHRO?
A: The "CHRO" is the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities. This is an administrative agency that is the state parallel administrative body to the EEOC, which is the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Claims for violation of federal discrimination laws or violation of The Americans with Disability Act or the Age Discrimination and Employment Act must be brought to the CHRO prior to filing a civil lawsuit. The time periods for filing a complaint with the CHRO are very stringent and, generally speaking, have to be done within 180 days of the wrongful employment
Newman Creed & Associates
99 North Street Bristol, CT 06010 • 860-583-5200 • Toll-Free: 888-300-4469
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