Vermont Fair Employment Practices Act — employer coverage threshold
Vermont's Fair Employment Practices Act (VFEPA), codified at 21 V.S.A. § 495, prohibits employment discrimination and applies to all employers with one or more employees working in Vermont. This coverage threshold is significantly broader than federal Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which applies only to employers with 15 or more employees. "Employer" under VFEPA includes individuals, partnerships, labor organizations, government bodies, associations, corporations, and other businesses doing business in the state.
Protected classes under Vermont Fair Employment Practices Act
Vermont's Fair Employment Practices Act prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, place of birth, crime victim status, age (18 or older), disability, and HIV status. This list is broader than federal Title VII, which does not protect sexual orientation, gender identity, place of birth, or crime victim status as separate categories. Vermont defines "qualified individual with a disability" as someone capable of performing the essential functions of the job with reasonable accommodation.
Source: 21 V.S.A. § 495