{"id":357884,"date":"2017-05-01T16:07:30","date_gmt":"2017-05-01T21:07:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/employment\/wages-and-benefits\/what-are-right-to-work-laws.html"},"modified":"2026-03-30T16:57:31","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T21:57:31","slug":"what-are-right-to-work-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/employment\/wages-and-benefits\/what-are-right-to-work-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"‘Right to Work’ Laws: Overview and State Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

'Right to Work' Laws: Overview and State Guide<\/h1>\n\n
\n
\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

\n

States with right-to-work law prohibit employers and unions from requiring employees to join unions or pay union dues as a condition of employment. These state laws protect an individual\u2019s freedom of association by preventing compulsory membership. The Supreme Court extended these protections to all government workers. However, for employees in the private sector, these laws vary by state.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0There are many controversial\u00a0issues surrounding labor laws<\/span>, with many involving unions. Some believe unions help improve working conditions<\/span> and wages for everyone, while others think unions wield too much power and stifle economic growth.<\/p>\n

Perspectives like these shape arguments regarding\u00a0state <\/span>right<\/span>-to-work laws<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0which limit what unions and employers can require of workers in their state. Regardless of your position on unions and labor laws<\/span>, it\u2019s helpful to know what the right-to-work laws<\/span> are where you live and in neighboring states.<\/p>\n

Unions often represent all workers in a bargaining unit, regardless of whether they are union members. As a result,\u00a0unions<\/a> often try to persuade employers to sign contracts that require all workers to pay union dues<\/span> as a condition of employment<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Over half of the states have right-to-work laws<\/span>, which prohibit employers and labor organizations from requiring non-union employees to pay these fees. Many states\u2019 right-to-work laws<\/span><\/a> also include language that states that unions and employers may not require membership in a labor organization as a condition of employment<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Navigating the complexities of labor laws<\/span> and right-to-work regulations can be confusing. Understanding your rights is crucial. Contacting a local labor attorney<\/a> if you have questions or concerns about your legal protections and obligations is a good idea.<\/p>\n

This article outlines what to know about right-to-work laws<\/span>. You will also find a table at the end that summarizes\u00a0right-to-work laws<\/span> by state. States with right-to-work laws<\/span> also link out to specific statutes.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Who Do \u2018Right-to-Work\u2019 Laws<\/span> Protect?<\/h2>\n

Right-to-work laws<\/span> protect non-union employees. The protection is available to workers who choose to maintain or accept a position in a union shop even though they are not in the union.<\/p>\n

The government passed these laws because unions were charging non-union employees membership dues. They argued that non-union workers benefited from the work of union leaders<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Workers challenged this practice<\/a>, arguing that they shouldn\u2019t have to pay union dues<\/span> if they aren\u2019t in the union. The union leaders can\u2019t unilaterally decide to charge these employees for services they expressly declined.<\/p>\n

The Basics of Union Representation<\/span><\/h2>\n

Under existing law, employees, as a group, can choose to have a union represent them in their relationship with their employer. Such representation often leads to a collective bargaining<\/span> agreement<\/span><\/a> spelling out the terms and conditions of that employment.<\/p>\n

In return for its services, the union seeks dues from the employees covered by the agreement. Before right-to-work laws<\/span>, unions would demand payment from non-union employees because they enjoyed the benefits of new labor agreements.<\/p>\n

Some of the issues a union representative<\/a> negotiates on behalf of employees include the following:<\/p>\n