Jonathan C. Sterling

About Jon's Practice

Jonathan C. Sterling specializes in employment law, with a concentration on defending organizations, municipalities and individuals against claims of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. Mr. Sterling has obtained numerous dismissals of administrative complaints from the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO), and has successfully defended employers in CHRO administrative fact-finding conferences. Mr. Sterling has drafted and argued successful dispositive motions before state and federal courts. He has also defended employers before state and federal courts and administrative agencies in cases involving FLSA, FMLA, ERISA, freedom of expression, worker's compensation retaliation, and common law claims.

Mr. Sterling has performed extensive consulting and compliance work for employers, including reviewing and drafting employee handbooks, employment agreements, non-compete agreements, and arbitration agreements. His compliance work has been wide-ranging; from WARN Act compliance to wage and hour issues. Mr. Sterling also conducts sexual harassment training for employers.

Education

• University of Connecticut School of Law, J.D., with honors, 2002
• Colby College, B.A., 1997

Major Publications & Speaking Engagements

• Editor, Connecticut Employment Law Letter
• Contributing Author, New England Employment Law Letter
• Co-Author, "5 employment policies to draft or redraft with coronavirus hindsight," Connecticut Employment Law Letter, June 2020, and HR Daily Advisor, May 26, 2020
• Contributing Author, 50 Employment Laws in 50 States, BLR (2005-2012)
• Co-Author, "Recession preparation 101: Plan for potential layoffs ahead of time," Connecticut Employment Law Letter, October 2019, and HR Daily Advisor, December 30, 2019
• Quoted, "To fire or not to fire? Even egregious acts require care before termination," HR Hero Line, December 16, 2016
• Quoted, "Employee venting on social media? Employer's options often limited," Technology for HR Blog, September 15, 2016
• Quoted, "Late time cards a headache but no reason to withhold pay," HR Hero Line, October 14, 2015
• Quoted, "Stay legal when tackling exempt workers' tardiness, poor attendance," HR Hero Line, July 8, 2015
• Author, "The perils of firing an older, longer-tenured worker," Connecticut Employment Law Letter, March 2014, and Diversity Insight, July 20, 2014
• Speaker, "Top Ten Employment Issues In 2008," Human Resource Association of Central Connecticut (Jan. 23, 2008)
• "Financial Services Sector Targeted In Litigation," Connecticut Law Tribune (Jan. 22, 2007)
• "Court OK's Tracking Employees in Company Vehicles," Connecticut Employment Law Letter (Mar. 2008)
• "Employer Deemed Less Than Accommodating," Connecticut Employment Law Letter (Feb. 2008)
• "Employer Not Powerless To Stop Departing Employees From Telling All," Connecticut Employment Law Letter (Jan. 2008)
• "A Primer On the CHRO Process," Connecticut Employment Law Letter (Dec. 2007)
• "Rehab Center Must Clean Up Its Act, Pay More Than $1 Million in Fines," Connecticut Employment Law Letter (Nov. 2007)
• "You Want My Honest Opinion? Connecticut High Court Says Yes," Connecticut Employment Law Letter (Oct. 2007)
• Speaker, "Family and Medical Leave Act Master Class," Middletown, CT (Sept. 19, 2007)
• "Connecticut Employees Get Longer Period to File Discrimination Lawsuits" Connecticut Employment Law Letter (Sept. 2007)
• "Revoked 'Paper Suspension' Qualifies as Adverse Action, Leading to Possible Litigation," Connecticut Employment Law Letter (Sept. 2007)
• "Connecticut Employers With Out-of-State Workers, Beware," Connecticut Employment Law Letter (August 2007)
• "GEICO Adjusters Say 'Show Me the Money,'" Expect Focus (Summer 2007)
• "'Use-it-or-Lose-it' Vacation Policy Upheld," Connecticut Employment Law Letter (Aug. 2007)
• "No Pay Required for Time Spent Clearing Plant Security, Says Appeals Court," Connecticut Employment Law Letter (July 2007)
• "Arbitrator Upheld, Employee's Discharge for Downloading Information Set Aside," Connecticut Employment Law Letter (June 2007)
• "Appellate Court Clarifies Jury Duty Leave Protection," Connecticut Employment Law Letter (June 2007)
• Speaker, "Family and Medical Leave Act Master Class," Cromwell, CT (May 8, 2007)
• "Workplace Bullying Legislation Bill Being Considered by State Legislature," Connecticut Employment Law Letter (May 2007)
• "Employer Not Liable to 'On Call' Employee," Connecticut Employment Law Letter (Apr. 2008)
• "Court Recognizes Broad Immunity for Municipal Officials," Connecticut Employment Law Letter (Mar. 2007)
• "Single-Employer Test Not Applicable to State-Law Unpaid Wage Claim," Connecticut Employment Law Letter (Feb. 2007)
• "Discrimination Laws Don't Apply to Clergy," Connecticut Employment Law Letter (Jan. 2007)
• "No Exculpatory Agreements for Independent Contractors," Connecticut Employment Law Letter (Jan. 2007)

Admitted to Practice

Connecticut; U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut