A bill moving through the Vermont statehouse could scale back non-compete clauses in Vermont. Lawmakers are revisiting legislation after a previous version of the bill did not make it out of the 2019 legislative session. Known as H.205, the current bill has received bipartisan support. While it would not eliminate non-competes, it would limit how companies can use them. Ashley Bartley, a state representative for the Franklin-1 District, is one of many lawmakers advocating for the bill to pass. She said personal experience with a non-compete agreement has left her determined to support employees however she can. Bartley said she before stepping into the legislature, she had accepted a human resources job in Vermont. It wasn’t until one week into the job that she learned every employee at the company was bound to a non-compete. “The non-compete agreement was actually mailed to me with nothing, just like as certified mail, this is what it is,” she said. Then, just two weeks after being elected a Franklin-1 representative, Bartley said she received more unexpected news. “Within the first two weeks of me serving, I was let go from my position,” she said. Bartley, a new mom at the time, said the non-compete barred her from working for any competitor in Vermont, New Hampshire, New York or Connecticut for two years. Now she hopes sharing her story will help push this bill forward. “I don’t think we should be putting up barriers to work in the state of Vermont,” Bartley said. “That’s not the Vermont way.”If passed, H.205 would exempt employees making at or below three times the minimum wage and limit how far and how long a non-compete can apply. Orleans-Lamoille Representative Michael Marcotte said he’s not surprised the legislation is supported across the aisle. “It doesn’t matter what party you’re in or what gender you are,” he said. “We want to make sure that people are protected.”Lawmakers have made sure to include employers’ voices in the conversation. Still, Chris Bohorquez, an employment attorney at Gravel & Shea PC, said he expects the bill will create some hesitancy among businesses. “They’ll keep their cards a bit closer to their chest because they’re worried that if they don’t have this protection, it may hurt their long term business goals,” he said. But, lawmakers said the goal is balance — protecting businesses while making sure workers aren’t locked out of opportunity. “It’s really kind of a balancing act between the employee and employer,” Bartley said.
A bill moving through the Vermont statehouse could scale back non-compete clauses in Vermont.
Lawmakers are revisiting legislation after a previous version of the bill did not make it out of the 2019 legislative session. Known as H.205, the current bill has received bipartisan support. While it would not eliminate non-competes, it would limit how companies can use them.
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Ashley Bartley, a state representative for the Franklin-1 District, is one of many lawmakers advocating for the bill to pass. She said personal experience with a non-compete agreement has left her determined to support employees however she can.
Bartley said she before stepping into the legislature, she had accepted a human resources job in Vermont. It wasn’t until one week into the job that she learned every employee at the company was bound to a non-compete.
“The non-compete agreement was actually mailed to me with nothing, just like as certified mail, this is what it is,” she said.
Then, just two weeks after being elected a Franklin-1 representative, Bartley said she received more unexpected news.
“Within the first two weeks of me serving, I was let go from my position,” she said.
Bartley, a new mom at the time, said the non-compete barred her from working for any competitor in Vermont, New Hampshire, New York or Connecticut for two years. Now she hopes sharing her story will help push this bill forward.
“I don’t think we should be putting up barriers to work in the state of Vermont,” Bartley said. “That’s not the Vermont way.”
If passed, H.205 would exempt employees making at or below three times the minimum wage and limit how far and how long a non-compete can apply.
Orleans-Lamoille Representative Michael Marcotte said he’s not surprised the legislation is supported across the aisle.
“It doesn’t matter what party you’re in or what gender you are,” he said. “We want to make sure that people are protected.”
Lawmakers have made sure to include employers’ voices in the conversation. Still, Chris Bohorquez, an employment attorney at Gravel & Shea PC, said he expects the bill will create some hesitancy among businesses.
“They’ll keep their cards a bit closer to their chest because they’re worried that if they don’t have this protection, it may hurt their long term business goals,” he said.
But, lawmakers said the goal is balance — protecting businesses while making sure workers aren’t locked out of opportunity.
“It’s really kind of a balancing act between the employee and employer,” Bartley said.
