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Join Our TeamAn Act Relating to Equal Pay
Vermont's Equal Pay bill clarifies that employers must use job-related reasons to defend differences in pay between women and men performing the same work. The bill prohibits employers from penalizing workers from inquiring about, disclosing or discussing their wages with their co-workers. Requires state contractors to clarify compliance with equal pay requirements.
In addition, a worker is guaranteed the right to request a flexible work schedule and employers are required to respond to such requests in good faith. A flexible work arrangement means intermediate or long-term changes in a worker's regular working arrangement, including changes in the number of days or hours worked, changes in the time a worker arrives or departs from work, work from home or job-sharing. An employer may not retaliate against a worker for requesting a flexible work arrangement.
The bill also strengthens the protections of nursing mothers in the workplace against retaliation and discrimination.
The bill also establishes a paid family leave study committee to make recommendations on whether and how paid family leave may benefit Vermont citizens. The paid family leave study committee must report its findings and recommendations on or before January 15, 2014.
