Labor & Employment Law

Starting July 1, 2021, Virginia law will require overtime pay of one and one-half times the rate of pay for any hours worked in excess of 40 per week.

Yes, aside for some limited exemptions for labor organizations and railroad carriers. This includes Virginia agencies and localities.

Yes. There are limited exemptions for executives, officers, and administrators, as well as certain bona fide professionals, seasonal recreational workers, certain farm workers, and certain domestic service workers (such as nannies). For a complete list of exemptions, please review the exemptions listed under § 29 U.S.C. 213(a) located here.

The statute explicitly states that the Commonwealth, constitutional officers, agencies, institutions, political subdivisions and any public body are considered employers for the purposes of this law. Federal employees are not covered by the law.

All hours worked over 40 are paid the overtime rate.

No. The Overtime law only applies to hours actually worked over 40.

The rate of pay is one and one half times their regular hourly rate. For instance, if the normal hourly rate was $10 per hour, any hours worked over 40 hours must be paid at a rate of $15 per hour.

There is no fixed work week, however the period calculated must be seven consecutive 24 hour periods. For example, if an employer wanted a pay period to begin at 7AM on a Monday, the period for purposes of overtime would run for seven consecutive 24 hour periods from 7AM.

No, unless they fall under the exemptions for executives, officers, or administrators. Simply being paid by salary rather than hourly does not exempt an employee from being eligible for overtime.

A salaried employee’s regular rate is defined as one-fortieth of their salary. For example, if a salary employee was paid $800 per week, their “regular” rate of pay would be considered $20 an hour. Therefore, any overtime they work must be paid out at $30 an hour (one and a half times their hourly rate).

A piece-rate employee who works more than 40 hours in a week is entitled to overtime for all hours over 40.  The regular rate for piece rate employees is calculated by taking their total earnings for that week and dividing those earnings by the hours worked (similar to hourly employees).  They shall then be paid an overtime premium of half the regular rate for all hours worked over 40.  The piece rate compensation has already covered their base pay for those hours, assuming it results in a rate above the Virginia minimum wage.

Employers cannot provide comp time instead of pay. The overtime statute states “wages” are defined the same as in § 40.1-28.9. Overtime wages must be paid in legal tender of the United States or checks or drafts on banks negotiable into cash on demand or upon acceptance at full value.

Note:  Under certain circumstances, fire protection and law enforcement employees may be compensated with leave for overtime hours instead of wages pursuant to Va. Code § 9.1-701.

Tipped employees are assumed to have a wage rate of the state minimum wage unless there is an agreement that they should receive more, and must be paid one and one half times the minimum wage. Tips earned are credited toward that rate.

Commissioned employees are treated similarly to tipped employees.  Unless there is an employment agreement that says otherwise, they are assumed to have a wage rate of the state minimum wage, and must be paid one and one half times the minimum wage for overtime hours.  Commission earned is credited toward that rate.

If there is an agreement for a higher wage, the overtime rate will be calculated as one and one half times that base rate (base rate divided by 40 if salary, and base rate divided by the hours worked if hourly).  Commission earned is then credited toward the overtime rate.

Overtime is only required for hours worked in excess of 40 for a week.

The law does not require an employer to post a notice or poster.

The Labor and Employment Division investigates violations of the Virginia Overtime Wage Act. There is also a private right of action in the statute, where an employee or employees may bring a private lawsuit against an employer.

Forms for overtime wage claims can be downloaded from the website www.doli.virginia.gov or you may obtain a form by calling (804) 786-2706. The overtime rate applies to time worked starting July 1, 2021.  Claims for overtime worked prior to July 1, 2021 cannot be accepted.

The statute of limitations for claims is three years from the violation. However, the Department cannot investigate claims that pre-date the effective date of the statute – July 1, 2021.

Damages are calculated as the amount of lost wages, and an additional amount equal to the lost wages as liquidated damages. These totals are paid to the claimant. Additionally, a Civil Monetary Penalty of up to $1000 can be assessed per violation. Suits brought in court may also result in triple damages for knowing violations. There may also be criminal liability for willful violations.