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The Vermont Statutes Online



Title

03

:
Executive






Chapter

027

:
STATE EMPLOYEES LABOR RELATIONS ACT






Subchapter

004A
:
WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION










 

§

974. Communication with general assembly

(a) No entity of

state government may prohibit a state employee from engaging in discussion with

a member of the general assembly or from testifying before a legislative

committee; provided, however, that an employee may not divulge confidential

information, and an employee shall be clear that he or she is not speaking on

behalf of an entity of state government.

(b) No state

employee shall be subject to discipline, discharge, discrimination, or other

adverse employment action as a result of the employee providing information to

a legislator or legislative committee; provided, however, that the employee

does not divulge confidential information, and that the employee is clear that

he or she is not speaking on behalf of any entity of state government. The

protections set forth in this subchapter shall not apply to statements that

constitute hate speech or threats of violence against a person.

(c) In the event

that an appearance before a committee of the general assembly will cause an

employee to miss work, he or she shall request to be absent from work and shall

provide as much notice as is reasonably possible. The request shall be granted

unless there is good cause to deny the request. If a request is denied, the

decision and reasons for the denial shall be in writing and shall be provided

to the employee in advance of the scheduled appearance. The protections set

forth in this section are subject to the efficient operation of state

government, which shall prevail in any instance of conflict. (Added 2007, No.

128 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. May 13, 2008.)