Employment Law & Compliance
Virginia employment compliance features moderate complexity, balancing a business-friendly right-to-work framework with progressive statutory employee protections enacted in recent years. Key obligations include a $12.00 minimum wage, salary history inquiry bans, low-wage non-compete restrictions, and comprehensive anti-discrimination protections under the Virginia Values Act. State preemption laws prevent local municipal wage variations.
Virginia's minimum wage is $12.00 per hour following multi-year phased increases. State law preempts local municipalities from setting independent local minimum wage rates.
Final Paycheck Rules
Termination: Involuntarily terminated workers must be paid all earned wages by the next regular payday or within 14 days.
Resignation: Resigning employees must receive final pay by the next regular payday or within 14 days.
Vacation payout rules depend entirely on established company policies or written employment agreements.
Non-Compete Rules
Non-compete agreements are strictly banned for low-wage workers earning at or below the average weekly wage of the commonwealth.
HR & Payroll Compliance Tools — Partner Services
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What is the minimum wage in Virginia?
The minimum wage in Virginia is $12 per hour as of 2023-01-01. Virginia's minimum wage is $12.00 per hour following multi-year phased increases. State law preempts local municipalities from setting independent local minimum wage rates.
Does Virginia require paid sick leave?
Virginia does not have a statewide paid sick leave law. Employers are not required by state law to provide paid sick leave, though some local jurisdictions may have their own requirements.
Does Virginia have a Paid Family and Medical Leave program?
Virginia does not have a state-administered Paid Family and Medical Leave program. Federal FMLA provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for qualifying employers and employees.
Does Virginia require pay transparency?
Virginia does not have a statewide pay transparency law requiring employers to disclose salary ranges.
When must employers pay final wages in Virginia?
Involuntarily terminated workers must be paid all earned wages by the next regular payday or within 14 days. For resignations: Resigning employees must receive final pay by the next regular payday or within 14 days. Vacation payout rules depend entirely on established company policies or written employment agreements.
Are non-compete agreements enforceable in Virginia?
In Virginia, non-compete agreements are restricted. Non-compete agreements are strictly banned for low-wage workers earning at or below the average weekly wage of the commonwealth.
Is Virginia an at-will employment state?
Virginia is an at-will employment state, permitting termination at any time for any legal cause, subject to statutory public policy, anti-discrimination, and robust whistleblower protections.
Official Source
Virginia Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI)
More Virginia Resources
Data Methodology
DataTactic researchers verify employment law data directly against official government sources — Virginia Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI) publications, state statutes, and agency websites. Each data point is cross-referenced against primary sources before publication. Records are reviewed and updated when laws or requirements change.
Last verified: 2026-09-18 · Statewide baseline only. Local rules may impose additional requirements. This is not legal advice.