Vermont Bereavement Leave Law (2026)

Whether Vermont requires time off to grieve and handle a death, how many days, and whether that time is paid.

Leave required Verified Jul 6, 2026

Compiled and verified by David Scott · Verified Jul 6, 2026

Vermont's Parental and Family Leave Act lets eligible employees at employers with 10 or more workers take unpaid, job-protected bereavement leave, drawn from the up-to-12-weeks family leave entitlement. You may use accrued paid leave.

Bereavement leave in Vermont

Required?

Yes

How much

From family-leave entitlement

Paid?

Unpaid (may use PTO)

Applies to

10+ employees

Good to know

Even where the law does not require it, most employers offer some bereavement leave, commonly three to five days for an immediate family member. If your state has no mandate, you may be able to use paid sick leave, PTO, or, if the loss affects your health, the federal FMLA. Ask your employer what their written policy allows. This is general information, not legal advice.

Common questions

Vermont bereavement leave FAQ

Does Vermont require bereavement leave?

Yes. Vermont's Parental and Family Leave Act lets eligible employees at employers with 10 or more workers take unpaid, job-protected bereavement leave, drawn from the up-to-12-weeks family leave entitlement. You may use accrued paid leave.

How many days of bereavement leave do you get in Vermont?

From family-leave entitlement per the state law. Vermont's Parental and Family Leave Act lets eligible employees at employers with 10 or more workers take unpaid, job-protected bereavement leave, drawn from the up-to-12-weeks family leave entitlement. You may use accrued paid leave.

Is bereavement leave paid?

In Vermont, the leave is: Unpaid (may use PTO).

Does the FMLA cover bereavement?

Not directly. The federal FMLA does not give time off simply to grieve, but it can apply if the loss leads to a serious health condition, such as depression, that needs treatment.

David Scott

David Scott compiles and verifies minimum wage rates, tipped wages, and overtime rules from official state and federal labor department sources, and re-checks every page when rates change. See how the data is sourced.