Labor Laws in Connecticut

Labor laws in Connecticut are designed to safeguard employees while helping employers create lawful workplaces. Employers operating in Connecticut must understand these state-specific regulations in order to remain compliant and avoid costly legal issues.

 

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State of Connecticut labor laws offer protections to workers of all ages. Furthermore, Connecticut provides clear guidelines regarding minimum wage, paid leave policies, child labor laws and other rules. 

 

Read this article to know laws with detailed information to create a positive work environment, reduce legal risks and facilitate long-term business success for employers.

 

Standard Working Hours

We will discuss minimum wage, overtime pay rates, as well as Connecticut’s two separate bills on pay transparency so you don’t miss a beat when paying your staff members.

 

Minimum Wages

Connecticut has one of the highest minimum wage rates in the nation at currently $16.35 an hour for most employees working across its borders, providing fair compensation to workers across its boundaries. There are however a few exceptions that take this rule into consideration.

 

Employers of minor employees under 18 years old can pay them at a reduced wage rate of $13.90 an hour – equaling 85% of their standard rate.

 

Tipped Minimum Wages

Connecticut allows employers to incorporate employee tips as part of the minimum wage under certain conditions, often known as a tip credit.

 

Connecticut currently has a tipped minimum wage rate of $6.38 an hour for hotel and restaurant employees and $8.23 for bartenders; employers can utilize this reduced rate only if an employee’s total hourly income equals or surpasses that of Connecticut’s standard minimum wage.

 

Also Read: State of Alaska Labor Laws 2025

 

Overtime Laws

Connecticut follows both the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and state laws in regard to overtime pay – specifically 1.5x their regular rate for any time worked beyond 40-hour workweek.

 

Meal And Rest Breaks

As per Connecticut labor laws lunch break employees working less than 7.5 consecutive hours do not qualify for meal or rest breaks. Workers scheduled for shifts of 7 hours or more consecutive hours must receive at least a 30-minute unpaid meal break during each shift.

 

Employers typically offer 30 minutes of paid break time each workday, which can be divided into two 15-minute breaks or smaller intervals throughout the workday, to give employees time for resting, relaxing, recharging and maintaining productivity.

 

Leave Laws

Connecticut provides its employees with comprehensive leave programs designed to promote work-life balance and help safeguard workers during personal or family crises. Connecticut policies cover an array of areas including family medical leave, paid sick leave, military service leave and emergency responder leave.

 

Under the Connecticut Family and Medical Leave Act (CTFMLA), eligible employees are granted up to 12 weeks of job-protected leave during any 12-month period for qualifying reasons like childbirth, adoption, serious health conditions, organ donation or specific military duties.

 

Employers with 50 or more employees must also offer qualifying service workers up to 40 hours of paid sick leave per year, accruing an hour for every 40 hours worked. Employees who are victims of family violence or sexual assault may use sick leave, provided that they were not the perpetrator.

 

Types Of Leave	Duration	Eligibility
Paid Family Leave	Varies	All employees
Paid Family And Medical Leave	Leave up to 12 weeks in a 12-month period	All employees
Paid Sick Leave	Up to 40 hours per year	Non-Exempt Service or Hourly workers in companies with over 50 employees

 

Also Read: South Dakota Labor Laws

 

Child Labor Laws

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fact-sheets/43-child-labor-non-agriculture 

 

Connecticut labor laws for minors have stringent regulations in place to safeguard minors as well. The minimum employment age in Connecticut is 16; however, employers may hire 14- and 15-year-olds for certain permitted jobs such as office work, retail sales or food service if all legal requirements are fulfilled.

 

Employers are required to secure an employment certificate (or work permit) for each worker under 18 before beginning work with them, in order to verify the child’s age and ensure compliance with state labor laws. These rules vary based on factors like their age, school enrollment status and type of employment they perform.

 

Category	Work Hour & Nightwork Restrictions
Minors Under 16 Years Old	May work only limited hours. Cannot work past 7 p.m. during the school year. Between July 1 and Labor Day, can work until 9 p.m. Permitted only in nonhazardous roles such as office, retail, or food service work.
16- and 17-Year-Olds Enrolled in School (Not Graduated)	During school session: Up to 6 hours/day (Monday–Thursday). Up to 8 hours/day (Friday–Sunday). Maximum 32 hours/week. During school vacations of five consecutive days: Up to 8 hours/day, 40 hours/week, and 6 days/week in retail establishments.
16- and 17-Year-Olds Not Enrolled in School (Not Graduated)	Retail or Mercantile Establishments: Up to 8 hours/day, 48 hours/week, and 6 days/week. Restaurants, Manufacturing, Mechanical, Recreation, Amusement, and Theater Establishments: Up to 9 hours/day, 48 hours/week, and 6 days/week.
Nightwork Restrictions	Under 16: No work after 7 p.m., except until 9 p.m. between July 1 and Labor Day. Restaurants, Recreation, Amusement, and Theaters: No work between midnight–6 a.m. (If the next day is not a school day, may work until midnight). Manufacturing, Mechanical, and Retail: No work between 11 p.m.–6 a.m. (May work until midnight in supermarkets over 3,500 sq. ft). Hairdressing, Bowling Alleys, Pool Halls, and Photography Galleries: No work between 10 p.m.–6 a.m.
Purpose	These labor hour limits help ensure young workers maintain a healthy balance between school, rest, and employment while gaining safe and lawful work experience.

 

Taxes In Connecticut

Connecticut imposes several types of taxes that both employers and employees should be aware of. Connecticut utilizes a graduated individual income tax system with rates ranging from 2.00% to 6.99% depending on income level; this ensures that higher earners contribute a larger proportion of their earnings to taxes as opposed to lower-income residents.

 

Also Read: District of Columbia Labor Laws

 

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Curious Mind Also Asks: 

1) What is the 4 hour rule in CT?

The 4 hour rule in CT defines- Employees scheduled to work 4 or more than 4 hours must receive at least the equivalent pay if they work; even if sent home early. 

 

2) How many breaks are required by law in CT?

Employees working 7.5 or more consecutive hours must take a 30-minute meal break. The break either unpaid or with pay depending on what the employer decide. 

 

3) How many hours straight can you legally work in CT?

There is no specific rule as CT labor laws minimum hours on how many hours an employee can work per day in Connecticut. However you can take a 30-minute lunch break after every 7.5 consecutive hours, and overtime applies after 40 hours per week have been worked.

 

4) Is overtime mandatory in CT?

Yes, overtime pay is mandatory if you work more than 40 hours in work week. The overtime pay is 1.5X times as per the regular hourly pay. 

 

5) Can you work 7 days a week in CT?

Employees can work 7 consecutive days without taking breaks or paying overtime, but employers must adhere to break and overtime laws.

 

Also Read: State Of Wyoming Labor Laws 2025

 

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