RULE West Virginia | Category Rules | Official Guidelines

[StateGigs]

Welcome to the West Virginia category. This section is designed for listings and discussions related to:

• FOR HIRE – Individuals or businesses offering their services
• HIRING – Employers looking to fill positions
• SERVICES – Professional, trade, or local service offerings
• LOCAL EVENT – Community gatherings, announcements, and public events

All posts, replies, and content shared within this category must strictly comply with:

1. Applicable West Virginia State Laws
2. West Virginia Labor & Employment Regulations
3. West Virginia Business & Commerce Codes
4. Google's Content & User-Contributed Policies

Our Commitment to Compliance​

We take legal and policy compliance seriously. Our platform is committed to operating in full accordance with West Virginia state regulations, West Virginia labor laws, and Google's community standards. West Virginia has a comprehensive legal framework governing employment, business practices, and public postings, and we are dedicated to upholding them.

While we strive to keep our rules and references as accurate and up-to-date as possible, please note that laws and policies can change. The information and links provided here serve as our primary guidance and roadmap, but they may not reflect the absolute latest amendments.

We believe in transparency and accountability – for both our users and our team.

Official References​

To ensure clarity and eliminate excuses like "I didn't know" or "I couldn't find it," we strongly encourage all users to review the official sources directly:

Reference	Official Link
West Virginia Code – Search all state laws, including labor, business, and commerce codes	https://code.wvlegislature.gov
West Virginia Division of Labor – Labor law compliance, wage and hour information, contractor licensing, and workplace safety	https://labor.wv.gov
West Virginia Division of Labor – Wage & Hour Section – Minimum wage, overtime, and wage payment enforcement	https://labor.wv.gov/wage-hour-section
West Virginia Division of Labor – Contractor Licensing Board – Contractor licensing, registration, and compliance	https://labor.wv.gov/licensing/licensing-contact-information
West Virginia Secretary of State – Business Services – Business entity filings and compliance	https://sos.wv.gov/business
West Virginia Legislature – Bills & Laws – Track legislation, session laws, and the state constitution	https://www.wvlegislature.gov
Google User-Contributed Content Policy – Spam, harassment, illegal content, and community standards	https://support.google.com/googleshopping/answer/10012515
Google Terms of Service – General platform rules and enforcement	https://policies.google.com/terms

These are the foundational documents we use to evaluate content and enforce our rules.

West Virginia Labor & Employment Laws – What You Need to Know​

West Virginia law sets clear standards for employers, workers, and service providers. All hiring and service posts must comply with the following:

• Minimum Wage: West Virginia's standard minimum wage is $8.75 per hour effective as of 2026. This rate applies to employers with six or more non-exempt employees at a single location. Employers with fewer than six workers follow the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. The minimum cash wage for tipped employees is $2.62 per hour, with employers required to make up the difference if tips combined with the cash wage do not equal the full minimum wage of $8.75 per hour. A training wage of $9.00 per hour applies to workers under 22 for the first 90 days of employment.
• Overtime Pay: West Virginia follows the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) standard, requiring 1.5x the regular rate after 40 hours in a workweek for non-exempt employees. The federal salary exemption threshold remains $684 per week ($35,568/year).
• Worker Classification: West Virginia has enacted the West Virginia Employment Law Worker Classification Act (WV Code § 21-5I-1 et seq.) to bring "certainty and consistency" to determining whether a worker is an employee or independent contractor. Under this Act, a person shall be classified as an independent contractorif they meet specific criteria, including:
  • Signing a written contract acknowledging independent contractor status, lack of benefits, and tax obligations
  • Having filed or being required to file an income tax return for earnings from self-employment
  • Actually and directly controlling the manner and means by which work is accomplished
  • Satisfying three or more of nine criteria (e.g., control over work hours, location, ability to hire employees, obtaining business licenses/insurance)
  Workers who do not meet these criteria are classified under the IRS Rev. Ruling 87-41 test. Misclassification carries severe penalties.
• Contractor Licensing Requirements:West Virginia requires licensing for many professions through the Division of Labor's Contractor Licensing Board. Under the West Virginia Contractor Licensing Act (WV Code § 30-42-1 et seq.):
  • No person may engage in contracting without a valid license. Crucially, a license is required for **residential projects of $2,500 or more** and **commercial projects of $5,000 or more** (inclusive of total labor and materials).
  • Contractors must display their license at every worksite and include their license number in all advertisements and contracts.
  • A building permit may not be issued to any person who does not possess a valid contractor's license when required.
  • License applications must be submitted on forms supplied by the Board, accompanied by a fee of $125, and include evidence of legal authority to do business, among other requirements.
  • Licenses are not transferable.
  Violations carry penalties including cease and desist orders, fines of $200–$1,000, and criminal penalties for continuing without a license after a cease and desist order.
• Employer Bond Requirements: West Virginia requires certain employers to post bonds for wages and benefits. Employers engaged in construction work or the severance, production, or transportation of minerals must furnish a bond equal to four weeks' gross payroll plus 15%, unless exempt. Employees have a direct cause of action against the bond for unpaid wages and fringe benefits.
• Workplace Rights: West Virginia law prohibits discrimination, retaliation, and unfair labor practices. Workers have the right to file complaints with the West Virginia Division of Labor, the West Virginia Human Rights Commission, or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
• Notice Requirements: Employers must display required labor law postings in the workplace, including information about workers' compensation, minimum wage, unemployment compensation, and anti-discrimination protections.

Enforcement & Penalties​

To maintain a safe, lawful, and respectful environment for everyone, we enforce the following:

• All posts and comments must comply with West Virginia state law, West Virginia labor regulations, West Virginia business codes, and Google policies.
• If a post or reply is reportedand found to be in violation, we will:
  1. Investigate promptly – Our team reviews every report in a timely manner.
  2. Take immediate action – Content that violates our rules will be removed, edited, or hidden without prior notice.
  3. Apply penalties– The responsible user will receive:
     • A formal warning or notification
     • Penalty points added to their account
     • Repeat or severe violations may result in temporary suspension or permanent ban from the platform.

We reserve the right to take action against any content we deem inappropriate, even if it is not explicitly listed in this guideline.

Note: While our moderation team strives for consistency, all enforcement actions and interpretations of these rules are at the sole discretion of StateGigs Administration. Our decisions are final.

User Responsibility​

By posting in this West Virginia category, you agree that:

• You have reviewed and understood the referenced laws and policies.
• You are solely responsible for the accuracy and legality of your content.
• You will not use ignorance of the rules as a defense if a violation occurs.
• If you are offering professional services, you hold any required West Virginia state licenses (Contractor Licensing Board registrations or professional certifications) or local city/county permits and will provide proof upon request.

We are not legal experts, and this guidance is provided in good faith to help our community stay compliant. However, it is ultimately your responsibility to ensure your posts meet all current legal and policy requirements.

Questions or Concerns?​

If you're unsure whether your post complies, or if you need clarification on any rule, feel free to reach out to our moderation team before posting. We're here to help – but we're also here to enforce.

Disclaimer – Governing Law​

This platform and its operations are governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, regardless of the state-specific category in which content is posted. By using this site, you agree that any legal disputes or claims arising from your use of the platform shall be resolved exclusively under Delaware jurisdiction. While we strive to align our category rules with applicable local laws, our governing framework remains rooted in Delaware law, and all enforcement actions are taken accordingly.

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Thank you for being part of our community and for helping us keep this platform lawful, professional, and fair for everyone.

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StateGigs Administration