In re Grievance of Vermont State Employees' Ass'n

**Court Rules Against State Employee in Accommodation Dispute** This case involved a Vermont state corrections employee who filed a grievance against the Department of Corrections, likely seeking workplace accommodations through their union. The employee appears to have resigned from their position during the dispute process. The Vermont Supreme Court sided with the state employer and dismissed the union's grievance. The court ruled that part of the case became meaningless because the employee had already quit their job. For the remaining issues, the court found that the Labor Relations Board correctly interpreted the rules in the union contract about how and when employees must notify their employer about certain workplace issues. This ruling matters for workers because it shows how important it is to follow proper procedures outlined in union contracts, especially regarding notification requirements. It also demonstrates that quitting your job during a grievance process can hurt your case, as courts may dismiss parts of your complaint as no longer relevant. Workers should carefully review their union contracts to understand notification deadlines and procedures, and consider the timing of any resignation if they're pursuing workplace disputes. The case reinforces that employers and labor boards will strictly enforce contract language about procedural requirements.