Virginia Employee Handbook Requirements
Create a compliant employee handbook for Virginia's evolving employment law landscape. Rulewize covers VHRA protections, wage theft prevention, and state-specific workplace requirements.
Figures as of October 2, 2026. Minimum wage source: official table. Laws change; confirm with your state labor department.
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Compliance highlights for Virginia
Key employment law requirements every Virginia employer needs to know.
Expanded VHRA (5+ Employees)
The VHRA now applies to employers with 5+ employees and includes sexual orientation, gender identity, and veteran status protections.
Rising Minimum Wage
Virginia's minimum wage is $12.77/hr in 2026, with potential future increases tied to legislative action and CPI adjustments.
Pay Ranges Required in Job Postings
Since July 1, 2026, Virginia requires a wage or salary range in all job postings and hiring advertisements and bars employers from asking applicants for their wage or salary history.
Wage Theft Criminal Penalties
Virginia's Wage Theft Prevention Act imposes criminal penalties for intentional failure to pay wages.
Workers' Comp (2+ Employees)
Employers with two or more employees must carry workers' compensation insurance.
Employment Law in Virginia
Virginia has significantly modernized its employment laws in recent years, including expanding the Virginia Human Rights Act (VHRA) to cover employers with five or more employees (previously 15+) and adding sexual orientation and gender identity as protected categories. The state also enacted the Virginia Overtime Wage Act and strengthened wage theft protections.
Virginia's minimum wage is $12.77 per hour as of 2026. Virginia does not mandate paid sick leave at the state level, though the state requires home health workers to receive paid sick leave under specific provisions.
Virginia's economy is diverse and robust, driven by federal government and defense contracting, technology, healthcare, agriculture, and tourism. Northern Virginia's proximity to Washington, D.C. creates a significant federal contractor workforce with additional compliance requirements.
Key employment laws in Virginia
Important statutes and regulations that shape workplace policy in Virginia.
Virginia Human Rights Act (VHRA)
Prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, disability, and veteran status for employers with 5+ employees.
Virginia Overtime Wage Act
Establishes overtime requirements for Virginia employees, providing a state-level right to overtime pay in addition to federal FLSA.
Virginia Wage Theft Prevention Act
Strengthens penalties for wage theft, including criminal penalties for intentional failure to pay wages.
Virginia Workers' Compensation Act
Requires employers with two or more employees to carry workers' compensation insurance.
Virginia Whistleblower Protection (Code 40.1-27.3)
Protects employees from retaliation for reporting violations of law to appropriate authorities.
Virginia Wage or Salary Range Transparency (Va. Code § 40.1-28.7:12)
Beginning July 1, 2026, all job postings and hiring advertisements, public and internal, must include the wage or salary range for the position, set in good faith. Employers are also prohibited from seeking a job applicant's wage or salary history.
The compliance challenges Virginia employers face
Employment law is complex enough. State-specific regulations make it even harder. Here's what keeps Virginia employers up at night.
Rapidly Changing Law
Virginia has enacted significant employment law changes in recent years, requiring employers to regularly update their policies and handbooks.
Federal Contractor Compliance
Northern Virginia's large federal contractor workforce must navigate additional compliance requirements under federal procurement regulations.
Wage Theft Enforcement
Enhanced wage theft penalties increase the risk for employers with unclear pay practices or inadequate documentation.
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handbook & SOP compliance.
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Compliance Dashboard
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Legal Change Alerts
When a legal source we track changes, Rulewize alerts you and, on plans with proposed updates, drafts a revision for you to review and approve.
Built for Virginia compliance
Rulewize generates employee handbooks that account for Virginia's unique employment laws, local ordinances, and your company's specific policies.
Virginia-Specific Compliance
Covers expanded VHRA protections, Overtime Wage Act, wage theft prevention, and VOSH requirements.
Federal + State Coverage
Integrates federal FMLA, ADA, and Title VII with Virginia's modernized state-level protections.
Automatic Legal Updates
Monitors Virginia legislative changes, minimum wage adjustments, and regulatory developments.
Ready to Distribute
Export your Virginia handbook as a professional PDF or share digitally with built-in employee acknowledgment tracking.
What's in your Virginia handbook
Rulewize drafts these sections for you, tailored to Virginia law and your specific business.
Virginia Handbooks by Industry
Get an employee handbook tailored to both Virginia law and your specific industry.
Frequently asked questions about Virginia employment law
Is an employee handbook required in Virginia?
Virginia does not legally require an employee handbook. However, with the expanded VHRA, wage theft penalties, and evolving employment laws, a handbook is strongly recommended.
What is Virginia's minimum wage?
Virginia's minimum wage is $12.77/hr in 2026. Future increases may be tied to legislative action and CPI adjustments.
Does Virginia require salary ranges in job postings?
Yes. Beginning July 1, 2026, all job postings and hiring advertisements in Virginia must include a wage or salary range for the position, and employers may not seek a job applicant's wage or salary history. The range is the minimum and maximum wage or salary set in good faith for the position.
Does Virginia protect LGBTQ+ employees?
Yes. The VHRA was expanded to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, applying to employers with 5 or more employees.
Does Virginia require paid sick leave?
Virginia does not generally mandate paid sick leave for private-sector employers. Specific provisions apply to home health workers.
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