Connecticut Government Jobs Added Despite Hiring Freeze

Posted on January 20, 2009

More than 800 Connecticut government jobs have been added in recent months, despite the hiring freeze issued in May 2008 by Gov. M. Jodi Rell.

According to the State Comptroller’s Office, which compiled data for The Stamford Advocate, Connecticut has hired 824 full-time employees since the hiring freeze was issued. The new positions, which have cost the state more than $14 million, are at a variety of state agencies, according to an article by Newsday.

The more than 800 jobs added don’t include more positions added by the University of Connecticut, the UConn Health Center and the Judicial Branch, whose hiring and payroll aren’t overseen by Comptroller Nancy Wyman. Rell’s office has stated the governor does not control judicial, legislative or higher education jobs, and has made exceptions for jobs that affect public health and safety and those that save overtime money and contracting costs.

During November 2008, Connecticut’s government industry employed 251,500 workers, according to the United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is down from 252,100 workers during October 2008 but a .4 percent increase from last year.

The state as a whole had a total non-farm employment of 1,693,400 workers during November, down from 1,698,500 workers during October and a .6 percent decrease from last year. Connecticut had an unemployment rate of 6.6 percent during November, up from 6.5 percent during October but lower than the national unemployment rate of 6.7 percent.