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        1090 King Georges Post Road Suite 103

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        333 N Broad St #206

        Elizabeth, NJ 07208

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        850 Bear Tavern Rd Suite 106

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        Jersey City, NJ 07306

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        65 East Route 4

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        25 Main Street Suite C

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        64 Washington Street

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        1755 Watson Ave Suite 355

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        300 Main St #8

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        60 Hempstead Ave #6002

        West Hempstead, NY 11552

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        215 East Main Street, Suite 203

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        55 Carleton Ave # 1

        East Islip, NY 11730

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        720 Route 17K

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        6 Gramatan Ave, Suite 604E

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        398 North Ave. Suite 210

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        11 Broadway Suite 615

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        40 W 37th St #400b

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        259 NY-17K #203

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        110-20 Jamaica Avenue, Suite 2H

        Queens, NY 11418

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        887 Old County Rd #K

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        Rochester, NY 14620

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        26 Broadway Suite 206

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        502 Court St. Suite 210

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        94 School Street Second Floor Suite # 3

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        1733 Washington Blvd

        Easton, PA 18042

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        3800 W 12th St. Suite 6

        Erie, PA 16505

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        415 Market St. Suite# 204A

        Harrisburg, PA 17101

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        3543 Marietta Ave. Unit H2

        Lancaster, PA 17601

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        100 W Main St. Suite 502

        Lansdale, PA 19446

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        4 Keystone Ct Suite# 40

        Leola, PA 17540

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        110 S 20th St

        Philadelphia, PA 19103

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        5001 Baum Blvd Suite # 795

        Pittsburgh, PA 15213

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        243 S 5th St

        Reading, PA 19602

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        3020 Penn Ave

        Reading, PA 19609

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        1150 S Main Ave #210

        Scranton, PA 18504

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        734 US-4

        Rutland, VT 05701

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  • Home
  • Locations
    • Connecticut
      • Bridgeport Office

        2320 Main St. Suite 2B

        Bridgeport, CT 06606

      • Danbury Office

        51 Sugar Hollow Rd #202a

        Danbury, CT 06810

      • Hartford Office

        609 Farmington Ave #LL1

        Hartford, CT 06105

      • Milford Office

        63 Cherry Street, Second Floor

        Milford, CT 06460

      • New Haven Office

        240 Bradley St

        New Haven, CT 06510

      • Norwalk Office

        161 East Ave #208

        Norwalk, CT 06851

      • Norwich Office

        315 W Main St. Suite 5

        Norwich, CT 06360

      • Stamford Office

        500 Newfield Ave #12c

        Stamford, CT 06905

      • Waterbury Office

        1068 W Main St, Suite 6

        Waterbury, CT 06708

      • Waterbury Office

        1127 W Main St

        Waterbury, CT 06708

    • Florida
      • Jacksonville Office

        6316 San Juan Ave #15

        Jacksonville, FL 32210

      • Pinellas Park Office

        7381 114th Avenue North, Suite 403C

        Pinellas Park, FL 33773

    • Kentucky
      • Louisville Office

        501 East Broadway Suite 380

        Louisville, KY 40202

    • Massachusetts
      • Boston Office

        15 Court Square #560

        Boston, MA 02108

      • Fall River Office

        36 Fifth St. Suite 14

        Fall River, MA 02720

      • New Bedford Office

        34 Welby Rd #207

        New Bedford, MA 02745

      • Springfield Office

        235 Chestnut St., Unit 9

        Springfield, MA 01103

      • Worcester Office

        67 Millbrook St., Suite 421

        Worcester, MA 01606

    • New Jersey
      • Asbury Park Office

        603 Mattison Ave. Suite 322

        Asbury Park, NJ 07712

      • Atlantic City Office

        1125 Atlantic Ave #511

        Atlantic City, NJ 08401

      • Bordentown Office

        217 US-130

        Bordentown, NJ 08505

      • Camden Office

        808 Market St Third floor

        Camden, NJ 08102

      • Cherry Hill Office

        102 Browning Ln #5

        Cherry Hill, NJ 08003

      • Clifton Office

        85 Central Ave

        Clifton, NJ 07011

      • Edison Office

        1090 King Georges Post Road Suite 103

        Edison, NJ 08837

      • Elizabeth Office

        333 N Broad St #206

        Elizabeth, NJ 07208

      • Ewing Office

        850 Bear Tavern Rd Suite 106

        Ewing, NJ 08628

      • Jersey City Office

        840 Bergen Ave Second Floor

        Jersey City, NJ 07306

      • Millburn Office

        288 Main Street 2nd Floor

        Millburn, NJ 07041

      • Newark Office

        41-43 Manufacturers Pl

        Newark, NJ 07105

      • Paramus Office

        115 West Century Road Suite #330

        Paramus, NJ 07054

      • Parsippany Office

        14 Walsh Dr Suite 200 Room 7

        Parsippany, NJ 07054

      • Paterson Office

        847 Main St

        Paterson, NJ 07503

      • Paterson Office

        111 Washington St, Suite 111

        Paterson, NJ 07505

      • River Edge Office

        65 East Route 4

        River Edge, NJ 07661

      • Toms River Office

        25 Main Street Suite C

        Toms River, NJ 08753

      • Toms River Office

        64 Washington Street

        Toms River, NJ 08753

      • Trenton Office

        1331 Chambers Street

        Trenton, NJ 08610

      • Vineland Office

        1667 E Landis Ave suite 14

        Vineland, NJ 08361

    • New York
      • Albany Office

        21 Everett Rd Ext

        Albany, NY 12205

      • Binghamton Office

        34 Chenango St. Suite 410.

        Binghamton, NY 13904

      • Bronx Office

        111 Bruckner Blvd, Suite 301

        Bronx, NY 10454

      • Bronx Office

        1755 Watson Ave Suite 355

        Bronx, NY 10472

      • Brooklyn Office

        6400 18th Ave Second Floor

        Brooklyn, NY 11204

      • Buffalo Office

        300 Main St #8

        Buffalo, NY 14202

      • Elmira Office

        227 W Water St

        Elmira, NY 14901

      • Hempstead Office

        60 Hempstead Ave #6002

        West Hempstead, NY 11552

      • Huntington Office

        215 East Main Street, Suite 203

        Huntington, NY 11743

      • Islip Office

        55 Carleton Ave # 1

        East Islip, NY 11730

      • Middletown Office

        720 Route 17K

        Middletown, NY 10940

      • Mount Vernon Office

        6 Gramatan Ave, Suite 604E

        Mount Vernon, NY 10550

      • New Rochelle Office

        398 North Ave. Suite 210

        New Rochelle, NY 10801

      • New York Office

        11 Broadway Suite 615

        New York, NY 10022

      • New York Office

        40 W 37th St #400b

        New York, NY 10018

      • Newburgh Office

        259 NY-17K #203

        Newburgh, NY 12550

      • Queens Office

        110-20 Jamaica Avenue, Suite 2H

        Queens, NY 11418

      • Riverhead Office

        887 Old County Rd #K

        Riverhead, NY 11901

      • Rochester Office

        1765 Mount Hope Avenue

        Rochester, NY 14620

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        26 Broadway Suite 206

        Schenectady, NY 12305

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        2071 Clove Rd Suite 202

        Staten Island, NY 10304

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        1224 W Genesee St. Suite 201

        Syracuse, NY 13204

      • Syracuse Office

        219 S West St Suite 205

        Syracuse, NY 13202

      • Utica Office

        1160 Mc Quade Ave

        Utica, NY 13501

      • Utica Office

        502 Court St. Suite 210

        Utica, NY 13502

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        151 E Post Rd Suite 103

        White Plains, NY 10601

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        94 School Street Second Floor Suite # 3

        Yonkers, NY 10701

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        9605 Lorain Ave

        Cleveland, OH 44102

      • Columbus Office

        585 S Front St. #230

        Columbus, OH 43215

    • Pennsylvania
      • Allentown Office

        3037 Pike Ave

        Allentown, PA 18104

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        3005 Brodhead Rd Suite 101

        Bethlehem, PA 18020

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        1733 Washington Blvd

        Easton, PA 18042

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        3800 W 12th St. Suite 6

        Erie, PA 16505

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        415 Market St. Suite# 204A

        Harrisburg, PA 17101

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        3543 Marietta Ave. Unit H2

        Lancaster, PA 17601

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        100 W Main St. Suite 502

        Lansdale, PA 19446

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        4 Keystone Ct Suite# 40

        Leola, PA 17540

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        Philadelphia, PA 19103

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        Reading, PA 19602

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        Reading, PA 19609

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        Scranton, PA 18504

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        734 US-4

        Rutland, VT 05701

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Consultation

Navigating At-Will Employment in VT: What Employees Need to Know

At-will employment in Vermont grants employers broad authority, but it's not a free pass to terminate employees unfairly. Workers still have strong legal protections—particularly when it comes to discrimination, retaliation, and policy violations.

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  2. Navigating At-Will Employment in VT: What Employees Need to Know

Vermont follows the legal doctrine of at-will employment, which is the standard across much of the United States. While the term is commonly used, many employees misunderstand what it really means—and, more importantly, what it doesn't mean. Although employers in Vermont have broad discretion in making employment decisions, there are key exceptions that protect workers from arbitrary or unlawful treatment.

Understanding the boundaries of at-will employment is essential for Vermont workers who want to protect their rights and make informed career decisions.

What At-Will Employment Really Means

At-will employment allows either the employer or the employee to terminate the working relationship at any time, for any reason—or no reason at all—without advance notice. No contract or long-term commitment is required.

This system gives employers flexibility in managing their workforce, but it also means job security is limited unless otherwise agreed to in writing. However, "at-will" does not mean an employer can fire someone for any reason without consequence. There are important limitations built into both state and federal law.

Key Exceptions to At-Will Employment in Vermont

While at-will is the default employment arrangement in Vermont, several categories of termination are legally prohibited:

1. Discrimination

Vermont employees are protected by both the Vermont Fair Employment Practices Act (FEPA) and federal laws like Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. Employers cannot fire or refuse to hire someone based on:

  • Race or color
  • Religion
  • National origin
  • Sex (including pregnancy and sexual orientation)
  • Disability
  • Age
  • Gender identity

Even in an at-will environment, firing someone due to a protected characteristic is illegal and can open the employer to civil liability.

2. Retaliation

Employers are barred from punishing employees for engaging in protected activities. This includes:

  • Filing a discrimination complaint
  • Reporting wage violations
  • Participating in a workplace investigation
  • Whistleblowing on illegal or unsafe practices

Retaliation is one of the most common sources of wrongful termination claims in Vermont. Employers may try to disguise a retaliatory firing as a performance issue, but courts often scrutinize the timing and circumstances.

3. Public Policy Violations

Employees cannot be terminated for reasons that violate established public policy. For example:

  • Refusing to engage in illegal conduct
  • Taking time off for jury duty
  • Filing a workers' compensation claim
  • Reporting unsafe working conditions to OSHA

This "public policy exception" protects employees who do the right thing, even when it conflicts with their employer's interests.

4. Implied Contracts and Employer Promises

While Vermont courts generally uphold the at-will doctrine, they also recognize that certain statements or actions can form an implied contract. For instance:

  • An employee handbook promising progressive discipline
  • Verbal assurances of job security
  • Long-standing customs in the company regarding termination

If an employer deviates from established procedures without justification, a terminated employee might argue that an implied contract was breached.

How Wrongful Termination Is Handled in Vermont

If you believe your termination violated an exception to at-will employment, you may have grounds to file a wrongful termination claim. These cases often hinge on documentation, so employees are encouraged to:

  • Keep detailed records of any discriminatory or retaliatory behavior
  • Save emails or messages that contradict an employer's stated reason for termination
  • Note any inconsistencies between company policy and how your case was handled

According to the Vermont Department of Labor, employees have specific time windows to report violations, particularly when filing with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or the Vermont Human Rights Commission. Missing these deadlines can limit your legal options.

How Employers Use the At-Will Doctrine—and Where It Can Backfire

Employers often rely on at-will language in offer letters and employee handbooks to protect themselves from legal entanglements. However, misuse of at-will employment—such as masking retaliation or discrimination—can backfire.

Common employer mistakes include:

  • Terminating without proper documentation of performance issues
  • Ignoring internal complaint protocols
  • Inconsistently applying company policies across different employees

When a terminated employee can demonstrate that the reason given was a pretext, courts may infer wrongful intent—even if the at-will language was in place.

Can You Negotiate Around At-Will Employment?

Yes. While at-will is the default, it's not set in stone. Employment contracts can override it. Some Vermont workers—especially executives, professionals, and skilled tradespeople—negotiate agreements that:

  • Require "just cause" for termination
  • Include severance terms
  • Specify a notice period

It's also possible to negotiate around probation periods or disciplinary processes. While not everyone has leverage during hiring, employees with specialized skills or strong performance records may have room to push for contractual protections.

Recent Trends: A Shift Toward Employee Protections

Although Vermont maintains an at-will structure, recent policy trends lean toward expanding worker protections. The state has enacted laws aimed at:

  • Preventing wage theft
  • Promoting pay transparency
  • Protecting employees from harassment and retaliation

According to a 2023 Vermont Department of Labor report, the number of wrongful termination complaints has risen in tandem with greater public awareness of employee rights. As more people understand the limits of at-will employment, they're more likely to speak up when something feels off.

Steps to Take If You're Concerned About Your Employment Rights

If you're unsure whether your termination—or a situation at work—violates Vermont law, here are some steps to consider:

  • Review your employee handbook: Many disputes involve whether policies were clearly communicated or fairly applied.
  • Consult an employment attorney: A lawyer can assess whether your termination falls under an exception to at-will employment.
  • File a complaint, if appropriate: The Vermont Human Rights Commission or the EEOC may investigate claims of discrimination or retaliation.
  • Maintain documentation: Always keep a personal record of performance reviews, disciplinary actions, and communication with management.

Conclusion

At-will employment in Vermont grants employers broad authority, but it's not a free pass to terminate employees unfairly. Workers still have strong legal protections—particularly when it comes to discrimination, retaliation, and policy violations. Knowing where the boundaries lie can help you recognize when your rights may have been crossed and empower you to take action if needed. Whether you're facing termination or simply want to understand your position, being informed is your first line of defense.

Need Legal Help? Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law is One Phone Call Away

Navigating Vermont Employment Law can be challenging. Fortunately, you don't need to do it alone. The experienced lawyers at Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, are available 24/7 to help you understand your legal options, gather necessary evidence, and build a strong case to secure the settlement you deserve.

Contact us now for a free legal review.


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734 US-4
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Contact Us

Rutland Office
734 US-4
Rutland, VT 05701
Injuries Category
We aim to respond as quickly as possible, but allow 1 to 2 working days for a reply.
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At Brandon J. Broderick, Personal Injury Attorney At Law, we are devoted to helping injured individuals and their family members
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