Former Dispatcher Sues City of New Haven for Harassment
Krystina Polchies filed a lawsuit against the city on September 17, 2026, alleging pregnancy discrimination.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Human Resources
Krystina Polchies, a former police and fire dispatcher, is suing the City of New Haven for wrongful discharge and harassment. The lawsuit was filed on September 17, 2026, following allegations of pregnancy discrimination.
Why it matters
The case highlights significant workplace disputes regarding pregnancy accommodations and claims of sexual harassment. The litigation follows a determination by the Connecticut Department of Labor that Polchies left her position voluntarily.
Polchies requested a consistent 40-hour work week to accommodate pregnancy and post-surgery needs. This request was initially approved in December 2023 but was reportedly denied in September 2024.
The players
Krystina Polchies
A former police and fire dispatcher for the City of New Haven who is the plaintiff in the lawsuit.
Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities
The state agency that reviewed the case and provided authorization for the lawsuit to proceed.
Connecticut Department of Labor
The state department that previously determined Polchies had voluntarily left her place of employment.
The details
Polchies alleges that co-workers subjected her to sexual harassment by posting a photo of her in a supervisor's locker and creating a betting pool regarding the paternity of her child. These claims were authorized for litigation by the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities.
Timeline
November 2022: Krystina Polchies was hired by the city.
September 2023: Polchies became pregnant.
December 2023: A schedule accommodation was approved and a betting incident allegedly occurred.
Summer 2024: Polchies took maternity leave and underwent surgery.
September 2024: Polchies was denied a work accommodation and left her job.
Market Landscape
This litigation tests the strength of protections under the Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act within municipal workplaces. It reflects broader trends in human resources where disputes over pregnancy accommodations and workplace culture often escalate to state-level legal intervention.
This case may influence how city departments manage pregnancy-related accommodations and internal conduct policies. Residents may see changes in city personnel management protocols as municipal agencies respond to these harassment allegations.
The takeaway
Workplace harassment claims underscore the importance of maintaining clear and consistent accommodation policies. Employers must ensure that workplace environments remain professional to mitigate the risk of litigation and regulatory scrutiny.
Further reading
For more information on employment standards and legal protections, visit the Human Resources section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by New Haven Register.
