State Info
Summary of differences between federal and state regulations
Employer defined
“Employer” means any individual, organization, or governmental body including any partnership, association, trustee, estate, corporation, joint stock company, insurance company, or legal representative, whether domestic or foreign, or the receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, trustee or successor thereof, and any common carrier by mail, motor, water, air or express company doing business in or operating within the state, and any agent of such employer, which has one or more individuals performing services for it within the state.
Unlawful employment practices
Vermont law prohibits wage discrimination. The unlawful employment practices essentially follow those under the federal Equal Pay Act. An employer may pay different wage rates when the differential wages are made pursuant to:
- A seniority system.
- A merit system.
- A system in which earnings are based on quantity or quality of production.
- Any factor other than sex.
Under state law, employers may justify a wage differential by demonstrating a bona fide factor other than sex. An employer asserting this defense must demonstrate that the factor does not perpetuate a sex-based differential in compensation, is job-related with respect to the position in question, and is based upon a legitimate business consideration.
In addition, employers may not require, as a condition of employment, that an employee refrain from disclosing the amount of his or her wages or from inquiring about or discussing the wages of other employees. Similarly, employers may not require an employee to sign a waiver or other document that purports to deny the employee the right to disclose the amount of his or her wages or to inquire about or discuss the wages of other employees.
State
Contact
Regulations
Vermont Statutes Title 21, Chapter 5, § 495. Unlawful employment practice
Rules of the Vermont Human Rights Commission
http://hrc.vermont.gov/
Federal
Contact
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
Regulations
29 CFR Part 1620, The Equal Pay Act
29 CFR 1621, Procedures — The Equal Pay Act