IMPORTANT 2010 LEGISLATIVE CHANGES

The 2010 Vermont Legislature enacted significant changes to Unemployment, Workers Compensation and Misclassification of Employees. Some of these changes include the following:

• Unemployment Insurance Reform – requirement to report new hires within 10 days of first date work was performed, taxable wage base increases for 2011 and 2012, increase in fines and penalties, a new Misconduct Act, change in waiting period…and more.
• Workers Compensation Amendments – change in handling of workers’ compensation claims, new weekly payment requirements and penalties, stop work orders, state contracts, fraud reporting…and more.
• Misclassification-Distinguishing Between Independent Contractors – increase in number of audits, increased penalties and being barred from doing business with the state for 3 years…and more. The documents below include examples of how to classify your employees correctly to avoid costly penalties.