burden-shifting analysis (Vermont) · Go Syfert
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burden-shifting analysis in Vermont

21 Vermont opinions name it 2 courts 1982–2025 5 in the last five years

The cases below were cited by Vermont courts in a sentence that names this issue. Sides come from how each citing opinion treated the case (Syfertize flag on that citation), so a case can appear on both: that is where the law is contested. A red or yellow chip is the case's own overall treatment.

Followed or applied (11)

CaseFollowedCited
McDonnell Douglas Corp. v. Greengreen
scotus · 1973 · cited in 12 Vermont opinions naming this issue, 1999–2024
2 sentences

2024Claims under 3 V.S.A. § 973 are governed by the familiar burden-shifting framework set forth in McDonnell Douglas Corp. v. Green, 411 U.S. 792 (1973).

2022Where, as here, there is no direct evidence of unlawful retaliation, we apply the three-part burden-shifting framework established by the United States Supreme Court in McDonnell Douglas Corp. v. Green, 411 U.S. 792 (1973).

712
Robertson v. Mylan Laboratories, Inc.green
vt · 2004 · cited in 5 Vermont opinions naming this issue, 2005–2016
2 sentences

2016The Price 5 Waterhouse v. Hopkins, 490 U.S. 228 , 241–44 (1989), framework applies in cases where a discriminatory motive clearly was at work; the three-step burden shifting framework of McDonnell Douglas Corp. v. Green, 411 U.S. 792 , 802–04 (1973), applies where there is circumstantial evidence of discrimination only, Robertson v. Mylan Laboratories, Inc., 2004 VT 15, ¶ 18 , 176 Vt. 356, 364 .

2016The Price 5 Waterhouse v. Hopkins, 490 U.S. 228 , 241–44 (1989), framework applies in cases where a discriminatory motive clearly was at work; the three-step burden shifting framework of McDonnell Douglas Corp. v. Green, 411 U.S. 792 , 802–04 (1973), applies where there is circumstantial evidence of discrimination only, Robertson v. Mylan Laboratories, Inc., 2004 VT 15, ¶ 18 , 176 Vt. 356, 364 .

15
David A. Gauthier v. Keurig Green Mountain, Inc. f/k/a Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc.green
vt · 2015 · cited in 2 Vermont opinions naming this issue, 2021–2022
2 sentences

2022Gauthier, 2015 VT 108, ¶ 15 .

2021See also Gauthier, 2015 VT 108, ¶ 16 (“In the absence of direct evidence of unlawful discharge or discrimination . . . [courts] apply the three-part burden- shifting framework as laid out by the United States Supreme Court in McDonnell Douglas Corp. v. Green.”) (citation omitted from parenthetical).

12
Price Waterhouse v. Hopkinsred
scotus · 1989 · cited in 2 Vermont opinions naming this issue, 2004–2016
2 sentences

2016The Price 5 Waterhouse v. Hopkins, 490 U.S. 228 , 241–44 (1989), framework applies in cases where a discriminatory motive clearly was at work; the three-step burden shifting framework of McDonnell Douglas Corp. v. Green, 411 U.S. 792 , 802–04 (1973), applies where there is circumstantial evidence of discrimination only, Robertson v. Mylan Laboratories, Inc., 2004 VT 15, ¶ 18 , 176 Vt. 356, 364 .

2004Plaintiff argues that since she presented direct evidence — in particular, alleged comments made to her or her husband 3 by senior officers at Bertek — that gender played a motivating factor in defendants’ decision not to promote her, the two-step framework of Price Waterhouse v. Hopkins, 490 U.S. 228, 241-44 (1989), should apply, rather than the three-step burden shifting analysis of McDonnell Douglas Corp. v. Green, 411 U.S. 792, 802-04 (1973), that the trial court applied.

12
Hodgdon v. Mt. Mansfield Co., Inc.green
vt · 1992 · cited in 2 Vermont opinions naming this issue, 2004–2015
2 sentences

2015Mansfield Co., 160 Vt. 150, 162 , 624 A.2d 1122, 1129 (1992)).

2015Mansfield Co., 160 Vt. 150, 162 , 624 A.2d 1122, 1129 (1992)).

12
TransCanada Hydro Northeast, Inc. v. Town of Newbury, State of Vermontgreen
vt · 2017 · cited in 1 Vermont opinions naming this issue, 2025–2025
1 sentence

2025See 2017 VT 117, ¶ 12 (describing “shifting burdens of production and persuasion that apply in property valuation cases”).

11
Steven Daiello v. Town of Vernon v. Dale A. Merritt and Brenda Merrittgreen
vt · 2022 · cited in 1 Vermont opinions naming this issue, 2025–2025
1 sentence

2025At summary judgment, “we give the nonmoving party the benefit of all reasonable doubts and inferences.” Daiello, 2022 VT 32, ¶ 29 (quotation omitted). 6 ¶ 19.

11
El Sayed v. Hilton Hotels Corp.green
ca2 · 2010 · cited in 1 Vermont opinions naming this issue, 2015–2015
1 sentence

2015See, e.g., Murray, 164 Vt. at 212 , 667 A.2d at 300 (timing of adverse employment decision relative to the filing of a workers’-compensation claim is sufficient, for purposes of a prima facie case, to establish a causal connection (citing Gallipo v. City of Rutland, 163 Vt. 83, 93 , 656 A.2d 635, 642 (1994)); see also El Sayed v. Hilton Hotels Corrp., 627 F.3d 931, 932 (2d Cir. 2010) (per curiam) (“By demonstrating temporal proximity between his complaint and his discharge, [the plaintiff] arguably established a prima facie case of retaliation under Title VIL”); Seeger v. Cincinnati Bell Tel.

11
Murray v. St. Michael's Collegegreen
vt · 1995 · cited in 1 Vermont opinions naming this issue, 2015–2015
2 sentences

2015See, e.g., Murray, 164 Vt. at 212 , 667 A.2d at 300 (timing of adverse employment decision relative to the filing of a workers’-compensation claim is sufficient, for purposes of a prima facie case, to establish a causal connection (citing Gallipo v. City of Rutland, 163 Vt. 83, 93 , 656 A.2d 635, 642 (1994)); see also El Sayed v. Hilton Hotels Corrp., 627 F.3d 931, 932 (2d Cir. 2010) (per curiam) (“By demonstrating temporal proximity between his complaint and his discharge, [the plaintiff] arguably established a prima facie case of retaliation under Title VIL”); Seeger v. Cincinnati Bell Tel.

2015See, e.g., Murray, 164 Vt. at 212 , 667 A.2d at 300 (timing of adverse employment decision relative to the filing of a workers’-compensation claim is sufficient, for purposes of a prima facie case, to establish a causal connection (citing Gallipo v. City of Rutland, 163 Vt. 83, 93 , 656 A.2d 635, 642 (1994)); see also El Sayed v. Hilton Hotels Corrp., 627 F.3d 931, 932 (2d Cir. 2010) (per curiam) (“By demonstrating temporal proximity between his complaint and his discharge, [the plaintiff] arguably established a prima facie case of retaliation under Title VIL”); Seeger v. Cincinnati Bell Tel.

11
Gallipo v. City of Rutlandgreen
vt · 1994 · cited in 1 Vermont opinions naming this issue, 2015–2015
2 sentences

2015See, e.g., Murray, 164 Vt. at 212 , 667 A.2d at 300 (timing of adverse employment decision relative to the filing of a workers’-compensation claim is sufficient, for purposes of a prima facie case, to establish a causal connection (citing Gallipo v. City of Rutland, 163 Vt. 83, 93 , 656 A.2d 635, 642 (1994)); see also El Sayed v. Hilton Hotels Corrp., 627 F.3d 931, 932 (2d Cir. 2010) (per curiam) (“By demonstrating temporal proximity between his complaint and his discharge, [the plaintiff] arguably established a prima facie case of retaliation under Title VIL”); Seeger v. Cincinnati Bell Tel.

2015See, e.g., Murray, 164 Vt. at 212 , 667 A.2d at 300 (timing of adverse employment decision relative to the filing of a workers’-compensation claim is sufficient, for purposes of a prima facie case, to establish a causal connection (citing Gallipo v. City of Rutland, 163 Vt. 83, 93 , 656 A.2d 635, 642 (1994)); see also El Sayed v. Hilton Hotels Corrp., 627 F.3d 931, 932 (2d Cir. 2010) (per curiam) (“By demonstrating temporal proximity between his complaint and his discharge, [the plaintiff] arguably established a prima facie case of retaliation under Title VIL”); Seeger v. Cincinnati Bell Tel.

11
Beckmann v. Edson Hill Manor, Inc.green
vt · 2000 · cited in 1 Vermont opinions naming this issue, 2003–2003
2 sentences

2003Beckmann v. Edson Hill Manor, Inc., 171 Vt. 607, 608 , 764 A.2d 1220, 1222 (2000) (mem.).

2003Beckmann v. Edson Hill Manor, Inc., 171 Vt. 607, 608 , 764 A.2d 1220, 1222 (2000) (mem.).

11

Distinguished, questioned or overruled (0)

CaseNegativeCited
No negative-treatment citations attached to this issue in Vermont. Read the followed side critically anyway.

Also cited on this issue (8)

CaseCitedYears
Zephryn (Stephanie) Hammond v. University of Vermont Medical Center green
vt · 2023
1 sentence

2025At the final stage of the burden shifting framework, employee must show that the “proffered reason was a mere pretext for discrimination.” Id. (quotations omitted).

12025–2025
Griffis v. Cedar Hill Health Care Corp. green
vt · 2008
2 sentences

2024At the initial stage, a plaintiff must establish a prima facie retaliation claim by showing that: “(1) the plaintiff engaged in a protected activity; (2) the employer was aware of the activity; (3) the plaintiff suffered adverse employment consequences as result of the activity; and (4) there was a causal connection between the activity and the consequences.” Griffis v. Cedar Hill Health Care Corp., 2008 VT 125, ¶ 12 , 185 Vt. 74 , 967 A.2d 1141 (applying burden-shifting framework of McDonnell Douglas to whistleblower claim under 21 V.S.A. § 507).

2024Given my conclusion that plaintiff engaged in protected activity, I now turn to DOC’s argument concerning the final stage of the burden-shifting framework under McDonnell Douglas—whether plaintiff proved by a preponderance of the evidence that DOC’s stated reasons for terminating plaintiff were pretextual.8 Griffis, 2008 VT 125, ¶ 12 .

12024–2024
Morley v. Central Intelligence Agency green
cadc · 2007
1 sentence

2017To prevail on summary judgment with respect to a FOIA dispute, the defending agency must show that it has conducted a search "reasonably calculated to uncover all relevant documents." Morley v. C.I.A. , 508 F.3d 1108 , 1114 (D.C.

12017–2017
Office of the Governor v. Washington Post Co. green
md · 2000
2 sentences

2002Id.

2002Id.

12002–2002
Carpenter v. Central Vermont Medical Center green
vt · 1999
2 sentences

2000Carpenter, 170 Vt. at 566 , 743 A.2d at 594-95 .

2000Carpenter, 170 Vt. at 566 , 743 A.2d at 594-95 .

12000–2000
Ross v. Times Mirror, Inc. green
vt · 1995
2 sentences

1999See McDonnell Douglas Corp. v. Green, 411 U.S. 792, 802 , 93 S.Ct. 1817 , 36 L.Ed.2d 668 (1973); Ross, 164 Vt. at 24 , 665 A.2d at 586-87 .

1999See McDonnell Douglas Corp. v. Green, 411 U.S. 792, 802 , 93 S.Ct. 1817 , 36 L.Ed.2d 668 (1973); Ross, 164 Vt. at 24 , 665 A.2d at 586-87 .

11999–1999
Fonfara v. Reapportionment Commission green
conn · 1992
2 sentences

1993I would follow the recent and thoroughly-reasoned opinion of the Connecticut Supreme Court in Fonfara v. Reapportionment Commission, 610 A.2d at 159 , that a mere showing of a violation of a nonnumerical requirement — in that case, a state constitutional prohibition on crossing town lines — does not shift the burden of proof to the apportionment body to prove the plan is valid.

1993I would follow the recent and thoroughly-reasoned opinion of the Connecticut Supreme Court in Fonfara v. Reapportionment Commission, 610 A.2d at 159 , that a mere showing of a violation of a nonnumerical requirement—in that case, a state constitutional prohibition on crossing town lines—does not shift the burden of proof to the apportionment body to prove the plan is valid.

11993–1993
Sandstrom v. Montana green
scotus · 1979
1 sentence

1982Id. at 525 .

11982–1982

Statutes the citing opinions construe

VT § Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 21, § 495 (8)

Counted by distinct opinions that both name this issue and are annotated to the section; sections every opinion cites regardless of issue are not filtered here, so read the counts against the total above.

Where else courts name it

TX 256 (1985–2026) OH 203 (1990–2026) CA 190 (1985–2026) MI 113 (1980–2026) NJ 79 (1991–2026) CT 65 (1988–2026) TN 52 (1999–2026) NY 48 (1980–2026) WA 41 (1981–2025) MA 38 (1980–2026) PA 35 (1976–2026) KY 32 (2005–2026) FL 32 (1988–2026) GA 30 (1981–2025) ME 29 (2003–2025) LA 28 (1992–2023) IN 27 (1991–2026) MN 26 (1997–2025) MO 25 (1998–2025) NC 24 (2005–2025) IL 24 (1998–2026) OR 23 (1994–2026) IA 23 (1985–2026) KS 22 (1979–2024) VT 21 (1982–2025) RI 20 (2001–2019) HI 18 (1996–2025) DC 17 (1995–2026) WV 14 (1982–2025) MD 14 (1976–2026) UT 12 (1999–2025) ID 11 (1980–2023) VA 11 (1990–2026) AZ 10 (1982–2026) WI 10 (1979–2025) AL 10 (1991–2023) CO 10 (1990–2025) NV 10 (2020–2025) NE 10 (2006–2024) DE 8 (2011–2025) SC 7 (1984–1996) NM 7 (1991–2025) AK 7 (1982–2022) SD 6 (2003–2019) MT 6 (1979–2007) MS 4 (2000–2020) NH 4 (2016–2025) WY 4 (2007–2018) OK 2 (2012–2020) ND 2 (2001–2004) AR 2 (1951–2011) PR 2 (2011–2026)

Opinions by the citing court's state. A doctrine retained in one state and abandoned in another shows up here as a year span that stalls.

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