O'Reggio v. Commission on Human Rights & Opportunities

Summary

The court held that the federal definition of “supervisor,” limited to an employee empowered to take tangible employment actions against the victim, applies to hostile work environment claims under Connecticut’s employment discrimination statute. Because the plaintiff conceded that the alleged harasser lacked authority to hire, fire, promote, demote, transfer, or discipline her, the employer could not be held vicariously liable. The court affirmed the Appellate Court; Robinson, C. J., joined by Mullins and Ecker, Js., dissented and would have adopted a broader definition encompassing authority over daily work activities.