In 2010 the Vermont Chamber led the charge to stifle a paid sick leave proposal with a petition signed by more than 100 businesses gathered in only 24 hours. Chamber President Betsy Bishop presented the petition the House Committee on General, Housing, and Military Affairs, while numerous employers gathered to testify that the mandate would increase costs for both coverage and administration of the proposal. The initial legislation would have mandated employers to provide seven paid sick days a year to employees.
The Vermont Chamber is opposed to mandating businesses to pay sick days to employees since most businesses already have policies in place to address the issue.