Vermont Employment Law Updates – 2018
On May 30, 2018, Governor Scott signed Senate Bill 94. The law creates a new remote worker grant program. Under the program, a new remote worker may receive a grant for qualifying remote worker expenses including relocation, software and hardware, internet access, etc. An new remote worker is an individual who:
- is a full-time employee of a business domiciled or with a primary place of business in Vermont,
- becomes a resident of Vermont on or after January 1, 2019; and
- performs a majority of their work duties remotely from a home office or a co-working space in Vermont.
On May 28, 2018, Governor Scott signed House Bill 707. The law makes changes to the state’s sexual harassment rules. The changes include prohibiting employers from requiring employees or applicants to agree to non-disclosure agreements related to sexual harassment in the workplace. It also provides retaliation protection for employees who file claims related to sexual harassment or participate in any investigation. Other changes were made as well.
On May 28, 2018, Governor Scott signed House Bill 711. The law grants crime victims protected class status making it unlawful for employers to discriminate against them due to the crime victim status. It also requires employers to provide qualifying employees who are crime victims with unpaid leave from work to attend depositions or court proceedings related to the crime.
On May 21, 2018, Governor Scott signed House Bill 294. The law prohibits employers from:
- inquiring about an applicant’s current or past compensation from either the applicant or the applicant’s current or former employer
- requiring applicants’ current or past compensation meet minimum or maximum criteria
- determining whether to interview applicants based on their current or past compensation
Other requirements and restriction apply.
On May 30, 2018, Governor Scott signed Senate Bill 94. The law creates a new remote worker grant program. Under the program, a new remote worker may receive a grant for qualifying remote worker expenses including relocation, software and hardware, internet access, etc. An new remote worker is an individual who:
- is a full-time employee of a business domiciled or with a primary place of business in Vermont,
- becomes a resident of Vermont on or after January 1, 2019; and
- performs a majority of their work duties remotely from a home office or a co-working space in Vermont.
On May 28, 2018, Governor Scott signed House Bill 711. The law grants crime victims protected class status making it unlawful for employers to discriminate against them due to the crime victim status. It also requires employers to provide qualifying employees who are crime victims with unpaid leave from work to attend depositions or court proceedings related to the crime.
On May 21, 2018, Governor Scott signed House Bill 294. The law prohibits employers from:
- inquiring about an applicant’s current or past compensation from either the applicant or the applicant’s current or former employer
- requiring applicants’ current or past compensation meet minimum or maximum criteria
- determining whether to interview applicants based on their current or past compensation
Other requirements and restriction apply.