The violence, racial tensions, ugly political discord, and yes, even the pandemic of 2020 have all unceremoniously and relentlessly transitioned into 2021 totally unencumbered.  In fact, with the horrific tragedy of January 6th, they appear to be picking up steam.  The collective impact on businesses and our economy has been devastating.  It’s been equally detrimental to our trust and confidence in our elected leaders.  It has to stop! 

Now that 2020 is in our rearview mirror and now, with the start of the New Year, it appears that things will slowly, yet gradually, improve. Small business owners need to look forward and plan ahead for their future operations in the upcoming year.  While many aspects of business practices have changed and, in some instances rather dramatically, there are two constants on which you must rely; the need for information and the need to communicate.

Virginia’s long-standing “right-to-work” law has fostered a pro-business environment by providing protections to workers that give them a choice. This statute has consistently made us one of the best states for business in the country. Within the Code of Virginia (§ 40.1-58), it is the policy of Virginia that “the right of persons to work shall not be denied or abridged on account of membership or nonmembership in any labor union or labor organization.” The U.S. Supreme Court upheld this right in its 2007 Davenport v. Washington Education Association decision. The high court ruled that “unions have no constitutional entitlement to the fees of nonmember-employees.”