Q: For KinderCare Virginia Fairfax county area are workers given pay during training? Was told by co-workers otherwise.

A: In Virginia, and indeed across many jurisdictions, the law typically requires that employees be paid for training time if the training is mandated by the employer and is directly related to the employee's job. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which sets out minimum wage and overtime standards in the U.S., dictates that training time should generally be considered hours worked when it meets certain criteria. If the training is during normal hours, is job-related, and is required for the employee to perform their duties, then it should be compensated.

If your wife is attending mandatory training sessions as part of her employment at Kindercare in Fairfax County, Virginia, and is engaging in activities that benefit her employer and are related to her job, then these hours should typically be paid. The fact that she is clocking in suggests that these hours are being tracked, which is good practice and supports the expectation of payment for time worked, including training periods.

Given the situation, it would be wise for your wife to discuss this matter with her employer to clarify the company's policy on training compensation and to address any discrepancies between her understanding and what she has been told by coworkers. If the issue isn't resolved after discussing it with the employer, she might consider seeking advice from a local labor department or a legal advisor familiar with employment law in Virginia to better understand her rights and the appropriate steps to take.