Category: Business

What if an employee becomes pregnant?Pregnancy or childbirth may limit a woman’s ability to perform a job. Under Act 21, employers must provide reasonable accommodations to such women, unless those accommodations would be an undue hardship on the employer. What if the job involves heavy lifting?The employer must provide reasonable accommodations, such as providing lifting… Continue reading Pregnant employees (effective 1/1/18)

Does a nursing parent have rights to pump breast milk in the workplace?Yes.  The Legislature granted parents and babies such rights in 2013. This right exists for the first three years after birth of the child. The usual term for pumping breast milk is “to express” breast milk. Why does the Legislature care about breast-feeding?Research has… Continue reading Nursing moms in the workplace

Why did the Legislature require paid leave? The Legislature found that paid sick leave would provide a healthier work environment for all Vermonters. However, about half of private-sector employees—60,000—lacked paid sick leave. These Vermonters were generally employees of Vermont small businesses. What employers does this law cover? Almost all employers are covered. There are some… Continue reading Paid sick leave

What is a gift certificate? Vermont’s definition of a gift certificate is very broad, and includes both traditional paper gift certificates and the increasingly common plastic gift cards similar to credit cards.  The Vermont definition of a gift certificate is “a record evidencing a promise made for consideration by the seller or issuer of the… Continue reading Gift certificates

Who has to follow this law?The law applies only to for-profit entities that are “regularly and primarily engaged in trade or commerce” – these are called “commercial co-venturers.” The law does not apply to: Example: Rebecca is an energy consultant, but every fall she sells pies at the local famers’ market.  This year, she is… Continue reading Cause-related Marketing