Vermont State Government Return-to-Office (RTO) Status: What Employees Require to Know

Navigating the transition from remote perform back to the office can be confusing, especially when legal challenges and board decisions are in play. For Vermont state employees, the shift toward in-person work has been a point of significant contention between the administration and labor representatives.

If you’re wondering whether you need to adhere to a three-day weekly commute or if you’ve reverted to a previous schedule, here is the current state of the Vermont Return-to-Office mandate.

The Return-to-Office Mandate

In the fall of 2025, Governor Phil Scott issued a mandate requiring all state employees to return to in-person work for at least three days a week. This policy officially went into effect on December 1, 2025. According to the Governor, the primary goals of this shift are to foster better collaboration and increase employee engagement across state agencies.

Legal Challenges and Court Rulings

The transition was not without resistance. The Vermont State Employees’ Association, the union representing state workers, sought to halt the mandate by requesting a preliminary injunction from the court. They pursued this while filing an unfair labor practice complaint with the state labor relations board.

However, Superior Court Judge Dan Richardson denied the request for an injunction. In his ruling, Judge Richardson stated that the court lacked the authority to intervene in the matter, noting that the Vermont Labor Relations Board (VLRB) is the appropriate body to address and adjudicate these disputes.

Current Status and Recent Developments

As of April 2026, the debate over hybrid work continues to evolve. On April 1, 2026, the Office of the Governor released a statement regarding a decision made by the Vermont Labor Relations Board concerning the state’s hybrid work standard.

Exemptions to the Mandate

The Scott administration has provided a mechanism for employees to apply for exemptions from the in-person requirement. Based on reported data from the court proceedings:

• Hundreds of employees have requested exemptions.
• The administration is reviewing these requests on a case-by-case basis.
• Employees are not required to follow the return-to-office mandate while their exemption request is still pending review.

Key Takeaways for State Employees

• The Requirement: The baseline mandate requires state employees to be in the office at least three days per week.
• Legal Standing: A superior court judge has ruled that the Vermont Labor Relations Board, not the court system, is the entity responsible for resolving the dispute over this policy.
• Recent Updates: A formal decision from the Vermont Labor Relations Board regarding hybrid work standards was addressed by the Governor’s office on April 1, 2026.
• Exemption Status: If you have a pending exemption request, you are not required to comply with the mandate until a decision on your request is reached.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to commute three days a week?

Yes, unless you have been granted an official exemption or have a pending exemption request that the administration is currently reviewing.

Can I revert to my pre-December 2025 schedule?

The December 1, 2025, mandate remains the active policy following the court’s refusal to grant a preliminary injunction. Any changes to this schedule would likely stem from the Vermont Labor Relations Board’s decisions or approved individual exemptions.

Who handles disputes regarding the RTO policy?

The Vermont Labor Relations Board (VLRB) is the governing body responsible for reviewing unfair labor practice complaints and adjudicating the dispute between the state and the Vermont State Employees’ Association.