R.C.S.A. § 46a-68-63
Bona fide occupational qualification determination (Repealed)
Cite as Conn. Agencies Regs. § 46a-68-63
(a) The commission may permit an agency to dispense with a goal otherwise required under
Sections 46a-68-31 through 46a-68-74, inclusive, if the agency responsible for the
determination of job qualifications proves that, because of a bona fide occupational
qualification or need, all members of the class so excluded are unable to perform
safely and efficiently the duties of the job involved. Absent such a showing, no person
may be discriminated against, except upon a demonstration of individual incapacity.
(b) An agency may make application to the commission for a bona fide occupational qualification
determination. Applications shall be addressed to the chairperson of the commission
and shall contain a description and analysis of the job in question and recite the
number of persons so employed or authorized to be employed in the office, position
or position classification involved. Applications shall also include a statement demonstrating
that all persons outside the designated class are unable to perform the duties of
the job for which the application is made, together with evidence in support thereof.
Reference may be made to guidelines, regulations, laws, administrative determinations,
court decisions or any other relevant, supportive materials. The commission may request
whatever additional information it deems necessary to decide the question.
(c) For the purposes of these regulations, the commission may approve a bona fide occupational
qualification application only by a majority vote of its members present and voting.
The application shall not be approved if based upon, but not limited to:
(1) assumptions of the comparative general employment characteristics of persons of a
particular group, such as turnover rate;
(2) stereotyped characteristics of any group, such as their mechanical ability, figure
aptitude or aggressiveness;
(3) Customer, client, co-worker or employer preference;
(4) historical usage, tradition or custom; or
(5) the necessity of providing separate facilities of a personal nature, such as rest
rooms or dressing rooms.
(d) The approval or disapproval of a bona fide occupational qualification application
is made without prejudice to the right of an agency to make reapplication or of the
commission to reconsider its determination where justice or the public interest requires.
Furthermore, approval or disapproval of an application shall not bar the filing of
a discriminatory practice complaint by any person against the agency seeking a determination
by the commission, although the agency may assert a bona fide occupational qualification
or need as an affirmative defense. Where such a defense is raised, the commission
may grant such weight as appropriate under the circumstances to a prior determination
by the commission.