On Your Own; Your Legal Right @ Eighteen On Your Own formatted final version | Page 52

Furthermore, you have a right to a safe workplace. You should notify your
employer of any dangerous condition and ask the employer to correct that
condition. State law prohibits employers from firing, threatening, or
otherwise discriminating against employees for refusing to perform any
assignment they believe will expose them or any other person to risk of
serious injury.
Family, Parental, and Sick Leave
Vermont employers of any size are required to provide their employees a
minimum amount of paid sick leave. With limited exceptions, the sick
leave law covers all employees working an average of at least 18 hours per
week. Employees are allowed to use available sick leave for their own
illness or injury, to care for immediate family members who are sick or
injured, to care for immediate family members when their school or
business is closed for public health or safety reasons (snow days, for
example), or to obtain necessary services when the employee or an
immediate family member is the victim of domestic violence, sexual
assault, or stalking.
If your employer has 10 or more employees, in any rolling 12-month
period, you may also be entitled to up to 12 weeks of unpaid parental
leave due to the birth or adoption of a child. Additionally, if your employer
has 15 or more employees, you may use the 12 weeks of unpaid leave for
your own serious illness or that of an immediate family member. To be
eligible for this benefit, you must be continuously employed for at least
one year, working an average of at least 30 hours per week.
Harassment at Work
Employers must be committed to prohibiting discrimination against
individuals because of any of the legally protected statuses listed above.
Employees are entitled to a workplace free of discrimination, including
harassment. If an employee believes he or she has been subjected to such
discrimination or harassment, the employee should submit a complaint to
a supervisor or human resources, or externally to the above-listed
agencies.
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