Connecticut overtime rules for home care workers

In Connecticut, overtime is time-and-a-half after 40 hours in a workweek. The state minimum wage is $16.94 an hour, rising to $17.48 on January 1, 2027. The federal Home Care Rule bars agencies from the companionship and live-in exemptions, though the Department of Labor stopped enforcing it against agencies in July 2025 while it considers undoing it. Whether Connecticut's own law requires it is unclear.

What are Connecticut's overtime and minimum wage rules?

Does Connecticut law require overtime for agency caregivers?

Yes today, unclear if the federal rule changes. Connecticut counts domestic workers as employees only if they meet the federal definition of domestic service employment (CGS 31-58(e)), which since 2013 includes home health and personal care aides employed by agencies, so they are owed state overtime after 40 hours (CGS 31-76c). The July 2025 federal proposal would narrow that definition to work in the employer's own home, and no Connecticut law or guidance says what happens to agency caregivers then.

Does Connecticut have special rules for home care workers?

Connecticut's wage law excludes domestic service in or about a private home from the definition of employee, except domestic service employment as defined in the federal FLSA regulations (CGS 31-58(e)). Employers of domestic workers, including those caring for sick, convalescing and elderly people, must give written notice at hire of pay, hours, duties, days of rest and leave (CGS 31-71f(b)).

Can sleep time be unpaid on 24-hour shifts in Connecticut?

A third-party provider's companionship worker required to be on site for 24 or more consecutive hours may agree in writing to exclude a regularly scheduled sleep period of up to 8 hours, if adequate sleeping facilities are provided and the worker gets at least 5 hours of sleep; interruptions count as hours worked (CGS 31-76b).