West Virginia Employment Laws
By Amber Sheppard, Esq. | Legally reviewed by Amber Sheppard, Esq. | Last reviewed October 24, 2024
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Federal and state laws protect the rights of employees and regulate employer actions in West Virginia.
West Virginia's minimum wage is $8.75. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, employers can lower the minimum wage if the difference between the hourly rate and the employee's tips equals the state minimum wage limit.
Child labor is allowed for children under 18 as long as the minors' guardians agree to it for ages 14 to 17. If public school is open, minors can't have work hours during school hours or more than 18 hours in a week. The West Virginia Division of Labor monitors eligible employees and conditions of employment. It also strictly enforces child labor laws.
This section covers West Virginia's overtime law, a summary of federal law, and if you get your regular rate or more. FindLaw also lists legal holidays and how they affect vacation time. Meal breaks and the Fair Labor Standards Act are also included. Links to whistleblower laws to protect employees who report their employer's misdeeds are in this section, too.
Talk to a West Virginia Employment Lawyer
If someone denied you military leave parental leave, or you think your private employer is violating a minimum wage requirement, talk to a West Virginia labor law lawyer. Labor lawyers can review employment contracts and work environment situations to let you know if you have a case. You may be able to file Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) complaints on your own, but talk to a lawyer first to ensure you do it correctly.