Notice Of The Average Weekly Wage For 2024

Pursuant to Va. Code § 40.1-28.7:8, the term “low-wage employee” as applied to covenants not to compete has been calculated by the Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement to include all employees who earn an average of less than $1,410 per week. “Low-wage employee” also includes an individual who has independently contracted with another person to perform services independent of an employment relationship and who is compensated for such services by such person at an hourly rate that is less than the median hourly wage for the Commonwealth for all occupations as reported, for the preceding year, by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor.

Any employer who enters into, enforces, or threatens to enforce a covenant not to compete with any low-wage employee as defined by the statute will be in violation of the statute, and subject to a suit for damages, attorneys’ fees, and liquidated damages, and civil monetary penalties assessed by the Commissioner.

Additionally, the section contains a posting requirement for employers which advises,

“Every employer shall post a copy of this section or a summary approved by the Department in the same location where other employee notices required by state or federal law are posted.” Posting a copy of the Code will meet the requirements for notice to employees required under the law.

For any questions about current wage rates or requirements under the law, please contact the Department’s Labor & Employment Law Division at laborlaw@doli.virginia.gov.

RICHMOND – The Virginia Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI) has been awarded a State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula (SAEF) grant by the U.S. Department of Labor to expand the Virginia Registered Apprenticeship program by creating opportunities for innovation, engagement and accessibility in Virginia.

Virginia Registered Apprenticeship assists employers with developing highly skilled workers through the utilization of the occupation-specific apprenticeship training model. The program enables individuals to acquire new skills and expand their industry knowledge while earning a paycheck.

“An apprenticeship is more than just a job. It creates a powerful pathway to a successful career where you can get paid to learn skills and gain experience without incurring substantial educational debt,” said Secretary of Labor Bryan Slater. “This grant will help us boost career pathways for hard working Virginians.’

“Virginia Registered Apprenticeship has always served as a vital tool to providing Virginia workers with the necessary skills and knowledge to compete in this competitive economy,” said DOLI Commissioner Gary Pan. “These funds will allow Registered Apprenticeship to expand this mission to emerging industries and develop the next generation of Virginia’s workforce.”

The awarded funds of $927,372, titled Project HIRED (Highlight, Include, Recruit, Engage, Deliver), will allow Virginia to focus on expanding usage of the apprenticeship model in clean energy, early childhood education, teacher education, and other occupations in the emerging industries. Project HIRED invites individuals with disabilities, military-associated, justice-impacted, low-income, and other marginalized individuals to participate with apprenticeship employer/sponsors in a Registered Apprenticeship program.

About the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry

DOLI is an executive branch agency, under the Virginia Secretary of Labor, overseeing the Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH) program, Division of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Safety, Division of Labor and Employment Laws, and Virginia Registered Apprenticeship program. DOLI strives to make Virginia a better place in which to work, live, and conduct business.

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