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  • Posts by Mark J. Sommaruga
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    Full Bio | | 860.424.4388

    Mark J. Sommaruga has spent over 33 years proudly representing the interests of public agencies, schools (whether traditional/public, magnet, charter or private), and employers in Connecticut. Among other things, Mark has ...

Does Connecticut’s Expanded Paid Sick Leave Law Apply to Public Sector Employers?
Paid Sick Leave
Your Attorney Cannot Always Shield You From the FOIA
FOIA
Now That They Are Finished: Developments from the 2024 Session of the Connecticut General Assembly Affecting Employers
CT General Assembly - Building
Latest Developments from the 2024 Connecticut General Assembly: The Labor and Public Employees Committee Begins to Speak
CT General Assembly Bldg
As The Leaves Are Changing - What Has (and Has Not) Changed with the FOIA?
FOIA
Developments From The 2023 Session of The Connecticut General Assembly Affecting Employers (UPDATED)
General Assembly - Front Facing
Now That They Are Finished: Developments From the 2023 Session of the Connecticut General Assembly Affecting Employers
CT General Assembly with Flower Bush
Latest Developments from the Connecticut General Assembly: The Labor and Public Employees Committee Has Spoken (Part Four-Yes, Even More)
CT General Assembly Bldg
Latest Developments from the Connecticut General Assembly: The Labor and Public Employees Committee Has Spoken (Part Three-Yes, Even More Bills)
General Assembly
Latest Developments from the Connecticut General Assembly: The Labor and Public Employees Committee Has Spoken (Part Two-Wage and State Employee - Related Bills)
CT General Assembly with Flower Bush
Latest Developments from the Connecticut General Assembly: The Labor and Public Employees Committee Has Spoken (Part One-Expansion of Rights)
CT General Assembly - Building
Latest Developments from the Connecticut General Assembly: The Labor and Public Employees Committee Begins to Speak
Update sticky note
Getting to Work: Latest Employment & Labor Developments from the Connecticut General Assembly (January 31st Public Hearing)
General Assembly
A Look In Through the Out Door:  The FOIA and Employee Exit Interviews
Business Discussion
Developments From The 2022 Session of The Connecticut General Assembly Affecting Employers (UPDATED)
General Assembly
Permanent Changes to the FOIA Regarding Remote and Hybrid Meetings
Remote Meeting
The Aftermath: Developments from the 2022 Session of the Connecticut General Assembly Affecting Employers
ct-capitol-general-assembly-e1485794223172.jpg (ct-capitol-general-assembly-e1485794223172.jpg)
Latest Developments from the Connecticut General Assembly: The Labor and Public Employees Committee Has Spoken (Part Three-Even More Bills)
General Assembly
Latest Developments from the Connecticut General Assembly: The Labor and Public Employees Committee Has Spoken (Part Two-Wage and State Employee - Related Bills)
Istock - General Assembly
Latest Developments from the Connecticut General Assembly: The Labor and Public Employees Committee Has Spoken (Part One-Expansion of Rights)
Istock - General Assembly
Latest Developments from the Connecticut General Assembly: The Labor and Public Employees Committee Begins to Speak
ct-capitol-general-assembly-e1485794223172.jpg (ct-capitol-general-assembly-e1485794223172.jpg)
Now They Are Finally Finished: Developments from the 2021 Regular and Special Sessions of The Connecticut General Assembly Affecting Employers (Updated July 22, 2021)
CGA-3
The Aftermath: Developments From The 2021 Session of The Connecticut General Assembly Affecting Employers (Part One)
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Latest Developments from the Connecticut General Assembly: The Labor and Public Employees Committee Has Spoken (Part Three-Even More Bills)
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Latest Developments from the Connecticut General Assembly: The Labor and Public Employees Committee Has Spoken (Part Two-Expansion of Worker Rights)
CGA-3
Latest Developments from the Connecticut General Assembly: The Labor and Public Employees Committee Has Spoken (Part One-COVID-19 Related Bills)
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The (Str)Ides of March (Part Two): The Upcoming Easing of Connecticut’s COVID-19 Restrictions (and Impacts Upon Employers)
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Latest Developments from the Connecticut General Assembly: The Labor and Public Employees Committee Begins to Speak
General Assembly
The (Str)Ides of March: How Connecticut’s Revised COVID-19 Vaccine Schedule Impacts Employers
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Latest Employment & Labor Developments from the Connecticut General Assembly: February 9th Public Hearing
CGA-3
EEOC Issues Guidance on Employer COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates
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Dispelling Some Myths in Responding to COVID-19 Incidents: Close Contacts, Quarantines, and Tests (and Ignoring the Noise).
COVID
No Longer Taken at Face Value: Executive Order 7NNN and the New Requirement for Medical Documentation from Non-Mask Wearers (and What It Means to Connecticut’s Employers)
iStock-mask required.jpg
The 2020 Session of the Connecticut General Assembly: Are They Really Done and Will There Be No New Labor and Employment Legislation This Year?
General Assembly
The Latest Guidance on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and Paid Leave (and Some Common Questions)
DOL.jpg (DOL.jpg)
DECD's Safe Workplace Rules Regarding "Face-Coverings" and Executive Order 7BB
iStock-mask required.jpg
Governor Lamont’s Executive Order Requiring Face Coverings: Its Impact Upon Employers
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Initial Guidance on the Governor’s Executive Order on the Closure of “Non-Essential Businesses”
iStock-executive order.jpg
COVID-19: Key Issues and Responses for Employers
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They’re Back! What Should Employers Expect from the 2020 Connecticut General Assembly Session?
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Use of FMLA Leave for Parental Attendance at PPT/IEP Meetings for Special Education Students? The Department of Labor Says "Yes."
istock-FMLA
One Last 2019 Act from the Connecticut General Assembly: A December “Special Session” and the Tip Credit
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Can There be a “Meeting” Under the FOIA in the Absence of a Quorum? The Appellate Court Just Spoke (but stay tuned).
The Aftermath: Developments From The 2019 Session of The Connecticut General Assembly Affecting Employers (Part Two)
The Aftermath: Developments From The 2019 Session of The Connecticut General Assembly Affecting Employers (Part One)
Latest Developments from the Connecticut General Assembly: The Labor and Public Employees Committee Addresses Public Employee Union Membership Issues
Latest Developments from the Connecticut General Assembly: The Labor and Public Employees Committee Has Spoken
Latest Developments from the Connecticut General Assembly: The Labor and Public Employees Committee Continues to Speak
Latest Developments from the Connecticut General Assembly: The Labor and Public Employees Committee Begins to Speak
Latest Developments from the Connecticut General Assembly: February 26th Public Hearing
Latest Developments from the Connecticut General Assembly: February 21st Public Hearing
Latest Developments from the Connecticut General Assembly: February 14th Public Hearing
They’re Back! What Should Employers Expect from the 2019 Connecticut General Assembly Session?
PERSONNEL MATTERS, THE CONNECTICUT FOIA AND COMMON MISTAKES
The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Janus v. AFSCME on “agency” or “service” fees for non-union members: What public sector employers must (immediately) know
The Aftermath: Workplace-Related Developments From The 2018 Regular Session of The Connecticut General Assembly Workplace
Latest Developments from the Connecticut General Assembly: The Labor and Public Employees Committee has Spoken (Softly, but Firmly)
Latest Developments from the Connecticut General Assembly: March 8th Public Hearing
They’re Back! What Should Employers Expect from the 2018 Connecticut General Assembly Session?
BETTER LATE THAN NEVER: LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT EFFECTS OF THE STATE BUDGET “IMPLEMENTER”
How Not to Fire: Lessons from President Trump for Employers.
The Aftermath: Developments From The 2017 Regular Session of The Connecticut General Assembly Affecting The Workplace
Latest Developments from the Connecticut General Assembly: The Labor and Public Employees Committee Has Spoken
Latest Developments from the Connecticut General Assembly: The Labor and Public Employees Committee Begins to Speak
Latest Developments from the Connecticut General Assembly: February 16th Public Hearing (Wage/Hour and Leave)
Latest Developments from the Connecticut General Assembly: February 9th Public Hearing (and wage/hour bills)
Latest Developments from the Connecticut General Assembly: January 31st Public Hearing
They're Back! What Should Employers Expect from the 2017 Connecticut General Assembly Session?
Coming To A Workplace Near You: “Legal” Bi-Weekly Pay, Direct Deposit and Pay Cards
The Aftermath: Developments From The 2016 Session of The Connecticut General Assembly Affecting The Workplace
Arbitrators Have The Right To Be Wrong: The Second Circuit Speaks About "Deflategate" (And What's Next)
New Noncompete Restrictions Pass Connecticut General Assembly
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Employers Have Flexibility in Applying the Professional Exemption
Latest Developments from the Connecticut General Assembly: The Labor and Public Employees Committee Speaks
Save The Date: New Developments in Labor & Employment Law - April 29, 2016
Latest Developments from the Connecticut General Assembly: February 25th Public Hearing
Latest Developments from the Connecticut General Assembly: February 16th Public Hearing
What Can Employers Expect from the 2016 Connecticut General Assembly Session?
Fourth Circuit Court Of Appeals Holds That Gender Normed Physical Fitness Tests Do Not Run Afoul Of Title VII
Christmas Turkey Tales
Pullman & Comley Welcomes Two New Attorneys to Labor & Employment Practice
The Appropriate Punishment for Actual and Perceived Threats in the Workplace-Take Two; the Appellate Court (Sensibly) Speaks
Why the Judge Didn't Buy NFL's 'Deflategate' Investigation
Settlement of Wage Claims Under FLSA Must Now be Approved by the Court
When Going to Work is Work: McMorris v. New Haven and the Workers’ Compensation Act
Texts, Lies and Footballs: Tom Brady, “Deflategate," and What's Next?
Recent Colorado Supreme Court Decision on Medical Marijuana Highlights Risks Facing Employers in Connecticut Who Seek to Enforce Drug Free Workplace Policies
LESSONS FOR THE NFL AND EMPLOYERS FROM “DEFLATEGATE”
The Aftermath: Developments From The 2015 Session of The Connecticut General Assembly Affecting The Workplace
Successor Liability for Discrimination Claims
Bad News, Good News: Disability Discrimination Plaintiff Sometimes Need Not Show He Was Qualified, But May Never Recover Punitive Damages
Common Sense Prevails: Arbitration Award OK’ing On-Duty Drug Usage Overturned
Latest Developments From The Connecticut General Assembly: The Labor and Public Employees Committee Speaks
Latest Developments from the Connecticut General Assembly: March 3 and 6 Public Hearings
Latest Developments from the Connecticut General Assembly: February 24 and 26 Public Hearings
Medical Insurance Premium Reimbursement -- A Brief Reprieve for Small Employers
Latest Developments from the Connecticut General Assembly: February 17th Public Hearing
Developments in Pregnancy Discrimination Law: UPS, EEOC, and I
Latest Developments from the Connecticut General Assembly: February 5, 2015 Committee Meeting
Latest Developments from the Connecticut General Assembly: January 29 Public Hearing
What Can Employers Expect from this Connecticut General Assembly Session?
Interns' Class Action Carries Multimillion Dollar Price Tag
Sex, Lies, and The FOIA: Wotjas v. Town of Stonington and The Disclosure of Sexual Harassment Complaints, Regardless of “Guilt.”
Don't Make Promises That You Cannot Keep: Greenwich Silver Shield Association v. Town of Greenwich, the FOIA and Discrimination Investigations
Lies and Unemployment Compensation Proceedings - You Cannot Get Sued Again
The Police Have The Right To Remain Silent Too: The Supreme Court Rules On The Disclosure Of Police Reports Under The FOIA
Blood is Thicker Than Water: The Obligation To Bargain Over Nepotism Policies
Fortunately, Sometimes Life is “Unfair”: Town of Greenwich v. Greenwich Municipal Employees Association and Reversal of an Overreaching Arbitration Decision
Connecticut Congressman Sponsors "Payroll Fraud Prevention Act"
Pregnancy and "Forced Sick Leave." The Intersection of State and Federal Law, and What Is Permissible In the Connecticut Workplace
Wage Hour Claims and Casuto v. Town of Greenwich: The Department of Labor Investigation Is Not The End of The Story
The Aftermath: Developments From The 2014 Session of The Connecticut General Assembly Affecting The Workplace
Should Employers Sue to Recover Attorney’s Fees After Winning a Lawsuit?
Update From The 2014 Session Of The Connecticut General Assembly Regarding “Employee Privacy”/Social Media
When Is Someone “At Work”? Implications For Unemployment Compensation Eligibility (And Beyond)
Latest Developments From The Connecticut General Assembly: The Labor and Public Employees Committee Speaks
The Best Defense Is A Good Offense: Employers’ Use of The FOIA For Background Checks
What is the Appropriate Punishment for Actual and Perceived Threats in the Workplace?
Latest Developments from the Connecticut General Assembly
“Mind Your Own Business”- The Connecticut Supreme Court Limits Challenges to Licensing and Certification Decisions by Public Agencies in Lopez v. Bridgeport Board of Education.
What Can We Expect from this Connecticut General Assembly Session?
Good Cop or Bad Cop: The Public’s Right to Know
The FOIA and the Great Beyond-Personnel File Exceptions Do Not Belong to the Deceased
Book on Freedom of Information Act by Attorney Sommaruga Released
Lessons from the National Football League in the Workplace
Be Careful - Complying with Separation Agreements and Personnel File Issues
Illinois Appellate Court Won't Enforce Noncompetes Against At-Will Employees Unless the Employee Stays At Least Two Years: Implications for Connecticut Employers

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Alerts, commentary, and insights from the attorneys of Pullman & Comley’s Labor, Employment Law and Employee Benefits practice on such workplace topics as labor and employment law, counseling and training, litigation, union issues, as well as employee benefits and ERISA matters.

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