Right to Work in Tennessee
State-specific overview · Employment Law
Tennessee prohibits union membership or dues payments as a condition of employment under state right-to-work law.
How Tennessee treats Right to Work
Tennessee's right-to-work statute protects employees from being forced to join unions or pay union fees to obtain or keep a job. The law applies broadly to private employment and reflects Tennessee's strong protection of individual employment choice. Unions may not negotiate union-security agreements that require membership as a job condition.
The general definition of Right to Work
A legal principle that employees cannot be forced to join a union or pay union fees as a job condition.
Right to work is a state law that protects workers from being required to join a labor union or pay union dues in order to keep their job. In right-to-work states, union membership is voluntary. This contrasts with union-security agreements in other states, where workers may be required to join or contribute to a union as a condition of employment.
Read the full Right to Work entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Tennessee.