Vermont Employment Law

Vermont Fair Employment Practices Act covers all employers (1+) with very broad protections. Direct court filing with 1-year SOL. Includes HIV status and crime victim protections.

At-Will

Yes

Right-to-Work

No

EEOC Deferral

300 days

Min. Wage

$14.42

Vermont State Laws (1)

VT FEPA

Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 21, §§ 495-495h

365 days
1+ employees

The Vermont Fair Employment Practices Act is one of the broadest state anti-discrimination laws in the nation, covering all employers with one or more employees. It prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, place of birth, age (18+), disability, HIV status, and crime victim status. Vermont allows employees to file directly in state court within 365 days without first filing an administrative complaint, making it highly accessible for workers seeking justice.

Protected Classes

racecolorreligionancestrynational originsexsexual orientationgender identityplace of birthage (18+)disabilityHIV statuscrime victim status

Key Provisions

  • ✓Covers all employers with 1 or more employees and includes a very broad list of protected classes including place of birth, HIV status, and crime victim status
  • ✓No administrative exhaustion requirement — employees may file directly in state superior court, making it one of the most accessible anti-discrimination laws
  • ✓Age protection begins at 18, providing much broader age-based protections than the federal ADEA threshold of 40

Remedies

Back payFront payCompensatory damagesPunitive damagesAttorney fees and costsInjunctive reliefReinstatement
File with: Vermont Attorney General's Office, Civil Rights Unit or direct court filing365 days (1 year) or direct filing in state court

Federal Laws That Apply in Vermont

These federal statutes protect workers nationwide, including in Vermont. As a deferral state, the EEOC filing deadline is extended to 300 days for most claims.

Title VII15+ employees
300 days
ADA15+ employees
300 days
ADEA20+ employees
300 days
EPA1+ employees
730 days
PDA15+ employees
300 days
PWFA15+ employees
300 days
FMLA50+ employees
730 days
FLSA1+ employees
730 days
Section 19811+ employees
1460 days
GINA15+ employees
300 days
USERRA1+ employees
— days
NLRA1+ employees
180 days
OSH Act1+ employees
30 days
WARN Act100+ employees
— days
Rehabilitation Act1+ employees
300 days
SOX Section 8061+ employees
180 days
INA Section 1324b4+ employees
180 days

Check which laws apply to your situation in Vermont

Our free assessment identifies applicable federal, state, and local protections based on your specific circumstances.

Check My Rights

This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.Vermont laws are subject to legislative changes. Consult a qualified employment attorney in Vermont for advice about your specific situation. Last reviewed: February 2025.