Vermont - Jury Duty Employer Obligations

In Vermont, employers are required to provide you with unpaid time off for reporting to jury selection or jury duty. You may have to show your employer your jury summons in order to be given the necessary leave.

Your employer can never punish you for missing work to attend jury duty. However, if missing work would cause your employer undue hardship, it may be considered as an acceptable jury duty excuse.

An employer is not required by law to compensate an employee on leave for jury duty.

You will receive a nominal jury duty payment from the State of Vermont for each day you serve on a jury, as well as potential reimbursements for travel expenses. However, jury duty pay tends to be a token amount rather than actual compensation.

No employer may discharge, penalize or deprive any employee of any right, privilege, or benefit of employment, by reason of them performing their jury duty obligations.

All employees shall be considered in the service of their employer during all times while serving as jurors and shall not lose seniority, fringe benefits, credit toward vacations, and other rights, privileges, and benefits of employment.

You should be sure to show your employer your Vermont jury duty summons letter when you receive it, and update them with your jury duty dates if you are assigned to a trial, to ensure that you receive your mandatory time off.

An employer who violates the protections of an employee shall be fined not more than $200.00.

If you have been punished for missing work due to jury duty, contact the joror office of the court that summoned you, and they will assist in ensuring that your rights are protected.