Vermont paid sick leave law

What it can be used for

The employee's illness, injury or health care; caring for a family member; needs linked to domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking; and caring for family when a school or workplace closes for public health or safety. Source: legislature.vermont.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)

Notice and documentation

You may ask employees to notify you as soon as practicable and to try to schedule routine care outside work hours. You may ask for reasonable proof of a permitted use but not medical details. Source: labor.vermont.gov↗ (opens in a new tab) Source: legislature.vermont.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)

Who is not covered

Employees under 18, those averaging under 18 hours a week, seasonal workers employed 20 weeks or less a year, federal employees, and some per diem or on-call workers. Source: legislature.vermont.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)

Penalties

Fines of up to $5,000 for violations, plus anti-retaliation protections. Source: legislature.vermont.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)

The law and where to check

The law: 21 V.S.A. §§ 481-484 (opens in a new tab)

The agency: Vermont Department of Labor (opens in a new tab)

What federal law says

No federal law requires private employers to give paid sick leave. Federal contractors must give up to 7 days a year under Executive Order 13706. Source: U.S. Department of Labor↗ (opens in a new tab) Source: U.S. DOL — EO 13706↗ (opens in a new tab)

Paid sick leave checklist for Vermont employers

A simple order of work, based on the rules above. It is not a legal checklist.

1. Check whether your business size is covered by the rule above.
2. Set up accrual in your payroll or HR system (or front-load the yearly amount).
3. Write a sick leave policy covering accrual, the cap, carryover, notice and documentation.
4. Show each employee's balance where your state requires it.
5. Check for city or county sick leave laws where your staff work.
6. Keep records of time earned and used.

More Vermont employment law guides

• All Vermont employment laws
• Vermont final paycheck law
• Vermont meal and rest break laws
• Vermont overtime law
• Vermont pay frequency law
• Vermont vacation and PTO payout law
• Vermont new hire reporting
• Vermont at-will exceptions

Paid sick leave laws in other states

See every state on one page, or pick a state:

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• District of Columbia
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

Disclaimer: This guide provides general information based on publicly available official sources and is for information only. It is not legal, tax, payroll or employment-law advice and does not guarantee compliance with federal, state or local requirements. Rules can depend on your location, industry, contracts and other circumstances, and laws change. Always check the official source, the relevant government agency or a qualified professional before making a decision. MadyHR.ai accepts no responsibility for any action taken based on this page.

Last checked: October 19, 2026. Every rule and source link on this page was checked against the official government source on this date. Laws change, so always open the source link before you act.