Employment & Worker Protection · Virginia
Virginia Non-Compete Ban for Low-Wage Workers
Va. Code 40.1-28.7:8 - enacted in Virginia.
- Enacted
- Status
- 2020
- Enacted
- 51
- States with employment & worker protection laws
- 59/100
- Virginia strictness
The bottom line
Virginia Non-Compete Ban for Low-Wage Workers is an enacted law in Virginia, part of a mature, broadly-adopted employment & worker protection landscape.
- Enacted
- effective 2020-07-01
- 51
- states have employment & worker protection laws
- 107/107
- employment & worker protection laws enacted nationally
- 59/100
- Virginia strictness score
Data compiled 2026-03-18 from the official Virginia legislative record linked below; laws can be amended or repealed after this date.
Regulatory Snapshot: Virginia Non-Compete Ban for Low-Wage Workers
Virginia Non-Compete Ban for Low-Wage Workers (Va. Code 40.1-28.7:8) is an enacted law in Virginia under the Employment & Worker Protection category. It was enacted on 2020-03-04 and becomes effective on 2020-07-01. Virginia currently reports 4 tracked regulations with 4 already in force, giving the state a regulatory strictness score of 59/100 relative to the national baseline. PlainRegWatch compiled this entry's data on 2026-03-18; consult the linked official source for the current, authoritative text.
Nationally, 107 employment & worker protection statutes have been enacted and 0 additional bills remain pending - 51 distinct jurisdictions have codified rules in this area so far. That places Virginia within a mature and broadly adopted employment & worker protection landscape where compliance programs typically hinge on definitions in Va. Code 40.1-28.7:8 itself.
Applicability under Virginia Non-Compete Ban for Low-Wage Workers: All Virginia employers. Penalty exposure is documented as: Civil penalty $10,000 per violation. Lost compensation + attorney fees. Notable exemptions: Workers above threshold (enforceability governed by common law)..
Summary
Virginia bans non-competes for "low-wage" workers (average weekly wage ≤$1,290/week in 2024, updated annually).
Key Requirements
Non-compete void for workers earning ≤ average weekly wage. Employer must post notice. Violating employers face civil penalty.
Penalties
Civil penalty $10,000 per violation. Lost compensation + attorney fees.
Applicability
All Virginia employers.
Exemptions
Workers above threshold (enforceability governed by common law).
How Virginia compares on employment & worker protection
51 states regulate employment & worker protection - Virginia ranks #11 by overall regulatory strictness. Bar = state strictness score (0–100).
| # | State | Strictness |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 100 |
| 2 | Colorado | 76 |
| 3 | Texas | 69 |
| 4 | Connecticut | 62 |
| 5 | Illinois | 62 |
| 6 | Minnesota | 62 |
| 7 | New York | 62 |
| 8 | Oregon | 62 |
| 9 | Washington | 62 |
| 10 | Delaware | 59 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which states have employment & worker protection regulations?
As of the last verification, 51 states have enacted employment & worker protection regulations, with 0 additional bills pending across other states. Virginia is among the states that has enacted such legislation. Browse all employment & worker protection regulations at plainregwatch.com for the complete state-by-state comparison.
When was Virginia Non-Compete Ban for Low-Wage Workers enacted?
Virginia Non-Compete Ban for Low-Wage Workers was enacted on 2020-03-04 and became effective on 2020-07-01. It was introduced as Va. Code 40.1-28.7:8.
What are the penalties for violating Virginia Non-Compete Ban for Low-Wage Workers?
Civil penalty $10,000 per violation. Lost compensation + attorney fees. Note that enforcement mechanisms and penalty structures may vary. Consult the official statute and qualified legal counsel for specific compliance requirements.
Does Virginia Non-Compete Ban for Low-Wage Workers apply to small businesses?
All Virginia employers. Many state regulations include thresholds or exemptions for smaller organizations. Review the full applicability criteria and consult legal counsel to determine your obligations.
How does Virginia compare to other states on employment & worker protection?
Virginia has a regulatory strictness score of 59/100, based on 4 enacted regulations out of 4 tracked. Nationally, 51 states have enacted employment & worker protection laws. Visit our state comparison page for a full ranking.
Where can I read the full text of Virginia Non-Compete Ban for Low-Wage Workers?
The official text of Virginia Non-Compete Ban for Low-Wage Workers (Va. Code 40.1-28.7:8) is available from the Virginia legislature. PlainRegWatch links to the official source for every tracked regulation. We recommend reviewing the full statute alongside qualified legal counsel for compliance planning.
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Disclaimer: This summary is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Regulation details may have changed since this data was compiled (2026-03-18). Always consult official sources and qualified legal counsel for compliance guidance.
More Virginia Regulations
The bottom line
This law is already in force - here's what matters for employment & worker protection compliance.
- Virginia Non-Compete Ban for Low-Wage Workers is enacted in Virginia, effective 2020-07-01. Official source
- 51 states now regulate employment & worker protection; Virginia ranks #11 by strictness - compare requirements before you operate across state lines. Compare states
- See every regulation Virginia tracks across all five policy areas. Virginia profile
Summaries are general information, not legal advice; always confirm against the official statute and qualified counsel.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Related
Verify with the official Virginia source →
Every figure on PlainRegWatch is rendered directly from state source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on federal and state source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.