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Vermont Labor Laws 2025

Vermont has comprehensive labor protections including a $13.67 minimum wage with annual CPI adjustments, earned sick time for employers with 5+ employees, meal breaks for every 6 hours worked, and weekly or bi-weekly pay requirements.

Important: Vermont requires meal breaks for every 6 hours worked, weekly or bi-weekly pay (within 6 days of pay period end), and fast final wage payment (72 hours if discharged).

Minimum Wage

Vermont has a state minimum wage that exceeds federal law and adjusts annually.

Key Requirements

  • State minimum wage: $13.67 per hour (as of January 1, 2024)
  • Adjusted annually based on Consumer Price Index
  • Tipped employees: $6.84/hour minimum cash wage (50% of minimum wage)
  • No tip credit for service charges - full minimum wage required
  • Applies to all employers regardless of size

Additional Resources

Overtime

Vermont follows federal overtime requirements with some additional state provisions.

Key Requirements

  • Overtime pay: 1.5x regular rate for hours worked over 40 in a workweek
  • No daily overtime requirement (calculated weekly)
  • Standard FLSA exemptions apply (executive, administrative, professional)
  • Vermont law mirrors federal requirements
  • Applies to all employers

Additional Resources

Meal Breaks

Vermont requires meal breaks for employees working certain shifts.

Key Requirements

  • Meal break: Reasonable opportunity to eat and use restroom facilities
  • Employees must receive break for every 6 hours worked
  • Employees must be completely relieved of duties during unpaid meal breaks
  • No specific duration mandated, but must be reasonable
  • Applies to all employees

Additional Resources

Earned Sick Time

Vermont requires earned sick time for employees.

Key Requirements

  • Accrual: 1 hour for every 52 hours worked
  • Maximum accrual: 40 hours per year (employer may cap at 40 hours)
  • Applies to employers with 5 or more employees
  • Can be used for employee or family member illness, preventive care
  • Unused leave carries over but employer can cap total accrual at 40 hours

Additional Resources

Payment of Wages

Vermont has specific requirements for wage payment frequency and timing.

Key Requirements

  • Employees must be paid at least weekly or bi-weekly
  • Payment must be made within 6 days after end of pay period
  • Final wages: Must be paid within 72 hours if discharged, or by next regular payday if employee quits
  • Certain wage deductions require written authorization
  • Direct deposit allowed with employee written authorization

Additional Resources

Child Labor

Vermont has comprehensive restrictions on youth employment.

Key Requirements

  • Work permits required for minors under 18
  • Ages 14-15: Limited to 3 hours per school day, 18 hours per week during school
  • Ages 14-15: 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week when school not in session
  • Ages 16-17: Limited to 6 days per week with restrictions during school
  • Minors under 16 cannot work before 7am or after 7pm (9pm in summer)

Additional Resources

Annual Minimum Wage Adjustments

Vermont's minimum wage adjusts automatically each year:

  • Adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI)
  • Changes take effect on January 1st each year
  • 2024 rate: $13.67/hour (increased from $13.18 in 2023)
  • Tipped minimum always remains at 50% of standard minimum wage

Earned Sick Time for Small Employers

Vermont's earned sick time law applies to employers with 5+ employees:

  • Accrual rate: 1 hour per 52 hours worked (about 1 hour per week for full-time employees)
  • Maximum accrual: 40 hours per year
  • Can be used for illness, preventive care, or family care

Weekly or Bi-Weekly Pay Required

Vermont requires more frequent pay periods than most states:

Pay Frequency

Employees must be paid weekly or bi-weekly

Timing

Payment must be made within 6 days after end of pay period

Fast Final Wage Payment

Vermont requires quick payment of final wages:

Employee Discharged

Final wages must be paid within 72 hours

Employee Quits

Final wages must be paid by next regular payday

Navigate Vermont's Labor Requirements

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