Dozens of Connecticut Nail Salons close as a result of labor law violations

The State Department of Labor recently issued two-dozen stop-work orders this past week in six towns, primarily in southwestern Connecticut

Of the 39 salons inspected in the recent round of checks, more than 60 percent failed.

State Labor Commissioner Kurt Westby said, “Although we recognize the importance of keeping businesses open and employees on the job, our first responsibility is to ensure that workers are being paid correctly for the jobs that they do, and proper protections are in place should they get injured while on the job.

In promoting workplace compliance, we help create a level playing field so employers doing the right thing can remain competitive.”

Violations that resulted in closures included failure to have workers compensation coverage, cash payments without maintaining payroll records and misclassification of employees as independent contractors, making them ineligible for overtime and other benefits.

These salons are often fined as much as $300 per worker per day for each violation that occurs within their business.

Westby hopes to reopen some of the businesses in Greenwich, Fairfield, Hamden, Bridgeport, Meriden and Milford- all of which were closed temporarily.

Westby said the agency is working in partner with the businesses to get them into compliance with state laws, hoping to open as many doors as possible by this weekend.

The State has not conducted a sweep since 2015, only responding to complaints from the public about specific businesses.

The department said at the time it did not have the resources to conduct more thorough inspections.

Connecticut is the only state in the nation that does not license nail technicians and estheticians, the recent sweep clearly showcasing the lack of enforcement in the industry.

Staff attorney at New Haven Legal Assistance, James Bhandary-Alexander says, “I bring a lot of cases against employers for violating basic labor laws, nail salons are notoriously not meeting those basic standards.”

The General Assembly has been presented with a bipartisan bill to license nail technicians and estheticians but is not gaining much traction.

However, 85% of Connecticut nail salon customers said that they would be willing to pay more for services if it ensured the businesses were safe, hygienic, properly regulated and paid their workers legally.

Tom Wydra, director of department’s wage and workplace standards division revealed that the department may do another round of random inspections in the next few months.