Restrictions on Firing Employees in West Virginia

Employers in West Virginia are subject to these state rules that restrict firing employees under certain circumstances.

West Virginia laws make it unlawful for an employer to:

• not permit time off to vote
• discriminate against an employee because of jury duty
• require an employee to take a polygraph test
• fire for union activity
• deny equal employment opportunity
• violate protections for veterans or reservists
• retaliate against an employee for filing a wage complaint
• fire an employee for refusing to work on his or her Sabbath
• fire an employee for having wages withheld for child support or other garnishment

An employer who discovers that an employee sold or furnished tobacco products to minors may dismiss the employee for cause.