New Virginia Laws Affect Employers

The 2000 Virginia General Assembly has passed two laws, which will affect Virginia employers beginning July 1, 2000. They are:

1. Employer can't penalize an employee for going to court. Job protections provided an employee for a court appearance or for jury service now extend to any court ordered appearances in any court whatsoever. The bill also increases the penalty against an employer who violates this section from a Class IV to a Class III misdemeanor, which is a fine of not more than $500.00.
2. Immunity for disclosing employment information in references. Any employer, who, upon request by a person's prospective or current employer, provides information about that person's professional conduct, reasons for separation or job performance, including information contained in any written performance evaluations, shall now be immune from civil liability, provided that the employer is not acting in bad faith or in reckless disregard of whether the information is false. Punitive damages may be awarded if the employer acts in bad faith.