Labor & Employment in Vermont

introduced · Vermont · Senate May 1, 2025

S 153: An act relating to the creation of the Extreme Temperature Worker Protection Act

Bill S 153, the "Extreme Temperature Worker Protection Act," proposes to protect Vermont employees from occupational injuries and illnesses due to extreme hot and cold temperatures. It requires employers to develop and implement a written prevention plan that includes monitoring temperatures, providing education, and outlining emergency procedures. When the wet bulb globe temperature exceeds 80 degrees Fahrenheit, employers must provide access to cool drinking water and shaded rest areas for employees. The bill applies to most employers and employees, with specific exemptions for certain work activities or temperature-controlled environments.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Workplace Safety

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 19, 2025

H 277: An act relating to weatherization funding and weatherization workforce recruitment

This bill increases taxes on fossil fuels (heating oil, propane, and natural gas) to fund Vermont's Home Weatherization Assistance Program. It expands eligibility to households earning up to 80-125% of the area or state median income (whichever is higher) and requires 15% annual salary increases for weatherization workers starting in 2026. The bill also mandates partnerships with workforce programs to recruit and train new workers, while requiring utilities to provide free weatherization services to eligible low-income households. These changes aim to accelerate home energy efficiency upgrades, reduce fossil fuel dependence, and address workforce shortages in the weatherization sector.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Oil & Gas

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 24, 2025

S 25: An act relating to hospital salaries and administrative staffing ratios

This bill requires Vermont hospitals to report administrative staffing ratios and executive compensation data to the Green Mountain Care Board during budget reviews. It mandates that administrative staff ratios align with national averages for similar hospitals and caps executive pay at no more than 10 times the salary of the lowest-paid direct patient care staff. These requirements apply to all hospitals submitting budgets for fiscal years 2027 and later. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, with implementation for 2027 budgets.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Hospitals

in committee · Vermont · House Jan 15, 2026

H 334: An act relating to limiting employer restrictions on individuals separating from employment

This Vermont bill (H 334) bans most noncompete agreements and "stay-or-pay" provisions that require employees to repay employers upon leaving a job. It prohibits agreements restricting work for competitors after separation, with limited exceptions for business sales or dissolution. Employers must notify affected employees about void agreements and cannot retaliate against workers who refuse such terms. The law applies to all Vermont employers and covers existing contracts that violate these restrictions.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

vetoed · Vermont · Senate Jun 16, 2025

S 125: An act relating to collective bargaining

This bill amends Vermont's collective bargaining law (3 V.S.A. §§ 941, 1021, 1581, 1584, 1992) to clarify who qualifies for union representation. It redefines "employee" to exclude judges, court staff, interns, probationary workers, and certain managers (Sec. 5), while adjusting petition thresholds: 30% signatures for new bargaining units and 50%+1 for ending union representation (Sec. 5a). It also requires school districts to hold referendums using 50%+1 signatures to challenge current union representation (Sec. 5d). The bill directly affects public-sector workers in state agencies and schools, altering how unions form and gain recognition.

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 9, 2025

H 3: An act relating to the minimum qualifications required for State employment

H.3 would eliminate college degree requirements for most Vermont state jobs, requiring agencies to prioritize relevant work experience and job-specific skills instead. This change directly affects state job applicants without degrees and hiring managers who would adjust their evaluation criteria. The bill aims to increase access to state employment by broadening eligibility beyond traditional academic qualifications. It has been referred to the Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs for further review.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 5, 2025

H 149: An act relating to expanding equal pay protections

H.149 expands Vermont's equal pay law to cover all protected classes under state fair employment practices, including sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, and other characteristics like race, religion, and age. The bill prohibits employers from paying less for equal work based on these factors and allows pay differences only for legitimate reasons such as seniority, merit, or a business-related factor that doesn't perpetuate discrimination. It applies to all Vermont employers and takes effect on July 1, 2025. The law clarifies that employers cannot reduce other employees' wages to comply with the new requirements.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Employment Discrimination

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 27, 2025

H 402: An act relating to the Vermont Municipal Labor Relations Act

H 402 would amend Vermont's Municipal Labor Relations Act to allow municipal supervisory employees to organize and collectively bargain, removing their current exclusion from the law. It also expands the definition of "municipal public safety employee" to include support staff working in public safety departments (like dispatchers or technicians), granting them bargaining rights. These changes would directly affect municipal supervisory staff and public safety support workers across Vermont towns and cities. The bill would take effect on July 1, 2025, if enacted.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 11, 2025

H 174: An act relating to the Vermont Labor Relations Board

H.174 changes Vermont's grievance process for state employees by requiring union contracts to use binding arbitration as the final step instead of the Vermont Labor Relations Board. This directly affects state employees, their unions, and state agencies handling workplace disputes, shifting resolution from the Board to independent arbitrators. The bill mandates that collective bargaining agreements include binding arbitration for grievances, sets deadlines for unfair labor practice cases, and specifies that arbitrators cannot alter union contracts. It exempts only certain grievances from the University of Vermont's retired employees, which remain subject to Board review. The change aims to reduce the Board's caseload while providing a standardized final step for workplace disputes.

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Public Employees

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 25, 2025

H 344: An act relating to creating a good cause standard for termination of employment

This bill establishes a "good cause" standard for employer terminations in Vermont, requiring employers to have a legitimate, reasonable business reason (such as poor job performance) to fire most employees. It explicitly excludes trivial, arbitrary, or unrelated reasons for termination and creates an exception for employees with less than 90 days of service. Employers must post a notice about this requirement in a conspicuous location at their workplace. The law takes effect on July 1, 2025, directly affecting Vermont employers and their workforce.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

All labor & employment bills