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Georgia is a country in the Caucasus region and a state in the south-eastern United States. Georgia laws govern the relationship between employers and employees within the state, addressing various factors such as wages and employee rights.
Georgia labor laws might be less rigid than those of some other states, which is still vital for employers to understand the laws and regulations in order to maintain a fully healthy environment.
In this guide, you will get a deep insight into the Georgia labor laws 2025 and everything about staying on the right side of the federal and state laws in Georgia.
Why are Georgia Laws So Important?
Georgia provides tight security for economic rights and freedoms, which recognises them as inherent human rights. It is vital for a transparent business environment where fairness is not just ideal but a practical standard.
Standard Working Hours
For most businesses working in Georgia, full-time employment which ranges from 30 to 40 hours per week, as per federal regulations standards. Though it is strictly defined by the law. A part-time employment varies depending on the employer’s needs but it is generally less than 30 hours per week.
Minimum Wage and Overtime
Georgia’s minimum wage is $5.15 per hour. Still, most of them adhere to the higher Federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, and all employers are subject to the Fair Labour Standards Act, which requires them to pay the federally mandated minimum wage.
Georgia follows the federal FLSA for overtime regulations, with non-exempt employees who are entitled to 1.5 times their regular pay for working over 40 hours per week.
Tipped Minimum Wage
Georgia work comp laws follow federal laws, allowing employers to pay a direct wage of $2.13 per hour. Employees should receive at least the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour when their direct wage is merged with the tips that they receive from customers.
Insurance and Benefits
In Georgia, employers must provide workers’ compensation insurance if they have three employees or more. The state does not mandate most of the other types of insurance. However, employers must bear the whole cost of unemployment insurance benefits.
Most employers offer health, dental, vision and retirement benefits of their own accord in order to attract and retain talent.
| Benefits | Details |
| Workers’ Compensation | Compulsory for employers with three or more employees |
| Dental and Vision Insurance | Optional |
| Life Insurance | Optional |
| Health Insurance | Optional |
| Retirement Benefits (401k) | Optional |
| Unemployment Insurance | Compulsory |
Under the Georgia labor laws 2025, employers must consider state-specific requirements like providing up to three months of healthcare coverage after an employee’s coverage ends.
Overtime Laws
Employees in Georgia are entitled to overtime pay in line with federal FLSA requirements. All non-exempted employees must be paid 1.5 times their regular pay rate for any hours worked beyond 40 hours per week.
Exemptions from Overtime Laws
Georgia follows FLSA requirements for determining which employees are exempt from overtime pay requirements. An FLSA-exempt employee should meet the criteria related to the pay level and job duties criteria. No overtime pay is due if the employee meets all the requirements.
Meal and Rest Periods
State of Georgia Labor Laws do not require the mandated meal and rest periods for employees. Employers provide breaks as part of their HR compliance requirements policy.
Short breaks under 30 minutes should be paid to meet the FLSA requirements. Longer breaks mean that they are 30 minutes or longer, and the worker is free from work duties during the break.
Anti-Discrimination Laws
Georgia employment laws protect employees from workplace discrimination based on specific protected characteristics such as age from 40-70 and disability, as per the Age Discrimination Act and the Georgia Equal Employment for Persons with Disabilities Code.
The latter applies to employers with 15 or more employees and prohibits retaliation against an individual opposing unlawful discrimination in investigating or hearing.
Georgia follows the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, requiring employers with 10 or more employees to provide equal wage rates to both genders for equal work undertaken under similar work conditions.
Leave Policies
In Georgia, few laws mandate time off and leaves of absence for employees. Sick leave is not mandated. Leaves can be classified as Jury Duty Leave, Military Leave, Voting Leave and Day of Rest Requirements Leave.
| Type of Leave | Description |
| Jury Leave | Employers must allow employees to take time off for jury duty. |
| Military Leave | Labor laws in Georgia provide that employees are members of the National Guard and are eligible to leave without loss of pay. |
| Voting Leave | Georgia has no specific law requiring employers to grant employees time off to vote. |
| Day of rest requirements | This comes under the business operating days on Saturday and Sunday. |
Termination Laws
Georgia is an at-will employment state, so either employee or employer can terminate the employment relationship at any time and for any reason, though it should not be unlawful. There are no state laws mandating severance pay unless it is a part of an employment agreement. Neither is there any law mandating when a terminated employee receives final pay.
On the other hand, when an employee dies, Georgia law mandates an employer to pay wages due up to $2,500 to the designated beneficiary. Employers should adhere to federal regulations such as COBRA while terminating employees.
Safety & Health
Georgia prohibits smoking in enclosed areas within the workplace as per the Georgia Smokefree Air Act, which they can meet under various criteria. Georgia law permits employees to carry licensed firearms in personal vehicles in company parking lots without interference from the employer.
Taxes in Georgia
In terms of taxes, employers in Georgia must follow both federal and state obligations. Federal taxes include Social Security Tax and Medicare Taxes. The state unemployment insurance tax is the primary state-level tax, which employers pay to the Department of Labor.
| Tax Type | Percentage |
| Federal Social Security | 5.39% |
| Federal Medicare | 1.45% |
| Georgia Unemployment Insurance | Varies |
Labor Union Regulations
The State of Georgia has labor laws that are a right-to-work state. This means employers can’t require employees to become a labour union, even if that is an organisation that represents employees in the workplace. Employers cannot condition employment on an employee’s payment of union dues. Under the labor laws of Georgia, a union might call a strike only after providing the employer 30 days notice.
Georgia Employees Should Use a Free Payroll Stub Generator
If you’re an employee and you’re facing challenges in calculating your taxes or managing your finances effectively, then you can rely on our tool to work in an organized manner.
If you’re using any expensive tool that is proving costly to you, then you can use Stubcreator’s free paystub generator, which provides you with accurate Georgia payroll calculation information.
You can use the above information about Georgia labor laws 2025 to update your business.
Curious Minds Also Ask
1- Is working 8 hours without a break in Georgia legal?
In Georgia, it is not illegal for an employer to schedule an employee to work an 8-hour shift without a designated break. Georgia law does not mandate meals or rest breaks for adult employees.
2- How many hours are you allowed to work in a day in Georgia?
In Georgia, the standard workweek is 40 hours, which is divided into five 8-hour days. There is no specific law limiting daily hours; the 40–hour workweek is the standard working approval timing.
3- What are the laws for salaried employees in Georgia?
In Georgia, there are no specific state laws that dictate the terms of employment for salaried employees, which is beyond general labour laws. The US Department of Labour implements laws that protect all employees, including those who are salaried, such as those related to workers’ compensation and regulations.
4- Is 32 hours full-time in Georgia?
In Georgia, 32 hours is not considered full-time in the standard sense; some employers may offer it as a part-time option.
5- Is overtime pay mandatory in Georgia?
Yes, overtime pay is mandatory in Georgia for eligible employees under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The FLSA requires employees who work 40 hours a week to be paid at one and one-half times their regular pay rate.
6- What is the minimum break for an 8-hour day?
For an 8-hour workday, the minimum break entitlement is under 20 minutes, which should be taken during the workday and not at the beginning or end.
7- Can an employer withhold pay in Georgia?
Many states implement their labour laws in addition to the FLSA; Georgia abides by its rules, which are highlighted in the act. In this law, an employee can agree upon the wages for hours worked.
8- What is the minimum wage in Georgia?
The minimum wage in Georgia is $5.15% per hour. Most employers in Georgia are subject to the federal minimum wage, which is $7.25 per hour.
9- Is overtime taxed in Georgia?
Yes, overtime is taxed in Georgia. It is taxed at the same rate as regular pay, with no federal overtime tax rate.
10- What is full-time work in Georgia?
In Georgia, full-time employment is 30-40 hours per week.
11- What is the 4-hour rule?
The 4-hour rule is defined as a food safety guideline, specifically the maximum time perishable food can safely be left at room temperature before it needs to be discarded.
12- Is lunch break mandatory in Georgia?
No, in Georgia, lunch break is not mandatory for employees. Neither the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) nor the Georgia state law requires employers to provide meal breaks.
13- What is the minimum salary for labor?
The minimum salary for labor in Georgia is $7.25 per hour.
14- Do salaried employees get overtime in Georgia?
In Georgia, yes, some salaried employees can be eligible for overtime pay depending on whether they meet certain criteria under the FLSA.
15- How do you terminate an employee in Georgia?
In Georgia, terminating an employee is governed by the principle of at-will employment. This means that either the employee or the employer can terminate the relationship anytime for any reason not prohibited by the law.
16- Is it legal to work 7 days a week in Georgia?
It is legal in Georgia to work 7 days a week, as no state or federal laws prohibit the number of days an employee can work.
17- What is Georgia’s minimum wage in 2025?
$7.25 per hour is the minimum wage for Georgia in 2025.
FAQ's
What is the minimum wage in Georgia for 2025?
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As of 2025, Georgia follows the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, unless overridden by local ordinances or specific employer types.
Are meal and rest breaks mandatory under Georgia labor law?
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Georgia law does not require employers to provide meal or rest breaks, but federal laws apply to breaks that are offered.
Do Georgia labor laws require paid sick leave in 2025?
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Georgia does not mandate paid sick leave statewide; however, employers may offer it voluntarily or as part of company policy.
What are the new overtime rules in Georgia for 2025?
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Georgia adheres to the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), requiring overtime pay of 1.5 times the regular rate for hours worked over 40 in a workweek.
