Employment Law Bulletin - H.187

The Vermont Senate grappled this week with the paid sick leave bill, and it is not clear what exact employer requirements will have the votes to pass both Chambers in this Session. Governor Shumlin has indicated his willingness to sign a bill. The Senate debated an amendment to the bill that would exempt employers with less than five employees. That amendment was defeated by a one vote margin this week, and is up for reconsideration next week.

Many of our clients already voluntarily provide paid time off, including sick time. If the bill becomes law, those employers will likely need to amend their policies to expressly fold these mandatory sick leave days into the existing PTO count for their company. There are several statutory requirements that employers will need to fold into existing policies. As currently drafted, the law does not apply to employees who work 20 weeks or less per year. Leave may be taken for both employee and family member illness, three days until December of 2017, and then five days in subsequent years.