“Right to Work” and “At-Will” employment are entirely different concepts

During this election cycle, Virginia candidates are speaking about the state’s Right to Work law, but many Virginians are not familiar with the impact of this law on workers and often confuse it with the concept of “at-will” employment.

“Right to Work” and “at-will” employment are entirely different concepts.

Under the common law of Virginia (meaning there is no statute), absent a contract specifying duration, employment in Virginia is presumed at-will. This means that the employment relationship can mutually be terminated for any reason, or no reason, so long as it is not an illegal reason. Illegal reasons include terminations resulting from illegal discrimination or a violation of the public policy of Virginia.

All states except Montana consider the employment relationship at-will abs