Annual Survey of Virginia Law: Employment Law

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." For both Virginia employers and employees alike, this sentiment rang true over the past year in the employment law arena, with both camps winning and losing battles as they litigated various employment law matters. This article discusses three principal areas where there was substantial activity in Virginia's courts: public policy wrongful discharge claims; negligent hiring, retention, and supervision claims; and the enforcement of noncompetition agreements. Beyond the scope of this article are decisions rendered in other areas of law affecting the employment relationship, including the areas of workers' compensation, unemployment, public sector employment, and tort actions based on defamation and infliction of emotional distress.