Right to Work in Virginia
State-specific overview · Employment Law
Virginia is a right-to-work state where employees cannot be required to join unions or pay union dues.
How Virginia treats Right to Work
Virginia enacted right-to-work protections as part of its state constitution and statutory framework. Employees in Virginia cannot be forced to join a labor organization or pay union fees as a condition of employment. This applies across all private-sector jobs in the state. The rule aligns with the general right-to-work principle with no significant state-specific exceptions.
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 Virginia.