MONTPELIER, Vt. -
Some Vermont lawmakers are hoping to bridge the gap between men's and women's pay by requiring more workplace flexibility.
The Equal Pay Act would allow workers to ask their employers for more flexibility to have time to deal with families needs during the day, such as picking kids up from daycare.
The bill would also protect the worker from any retaliation from their employer for asking and strengthen the attorney general's role in the protection process.
One of the bill's sponsors says the proof this is needed is in the numbers.
"We know right now across the nation, women make 74 cents to the dollar to men -- and in Vermont it's 84 cents -- so we still have a lot of work to do," says Burlington Representative Jill Krowinski.
Several business groups -- include the Chamber of Commerce -- have come out against the bill -- saying most Vermont employers already provide flexible work plans and take these kinds of requests seriously.
The bill is currently in the House Judiciary Committee.
