2005 Vermont Code - § 231. — Employee rights

§ 231. Employee rights

(a) No person shall discharge or in any manner discriminate against any employee because such employee has filed any complaint or instituted or caused to be instituted any proceeding under or related to this chapter or has testified or is about to testify in any such proceeding or because of the exercise by such employee on behalf of himself or others of any right afforded by this chapter.

(b) Any employee who believes that he has been discharged or otherwise discriminated against by any person in violation of this section may, within thirty days after such violation occurs, file a complaint with the commissioner alleging such discrimination. Upon receipt of such complaint, the commissioner shall cause such investigation to be made as he deems appropriate. If upon such investigation, the commissioner determines that the provisions of this section have been violated, he shall bring an action in any appropriate state court against such person. In any such action, the state courts shall have jurisdiction, for cause shown to restrain violations of subsection (a) of this section and order all appropriate relief including rehiring or reinstatement of the employee to his former position with back pay.

(c) Within ninety days of the receipt of a complaint filed under this section, the commissioner shall notify the complainant of his determination under subsection (b) of this section. (Added 1973, No. 214 (Adj. Sess.), § 20.)