Georgia labor and employment law deals primarily with the relationship between employers and unions. Georgia labor and employment law education and training includes a broad range of issues, such as hiring and firing practices, medical leave, overtime, worker safety standards and wages.

Georgia employment laws are prohibited from interfering with federal labor laws or guidelines produced by federal agencies. Employer/employee relations were brought to the federal level in 1935 with the National Labor Relations Act (NRLA). Employers and employees may have their relationships governed by state laws if they are not subject to the NRLA. There are three steps to learning about labor and employment laws in Georgia:

1. Formal education. An attorney who practices labor laws in Georgia will typically need at least a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from a law school that is accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA).
2. Specialization. Attorneys can choose to specialize by taking legal training that is specific to labor and employment law in Georgia.
3. Membership in professional organizations. There are many organizations of attorneys based on their area of specialty, such as labor and employment law.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Attend a law school that specializes in GA employment law

There are a variety of universities in Georgia that provide training in labor and employment law, such as specific coursework, a formal concentration or legal clinics.

I recommend: Georgia State University College of Law offers multiple courses in Georgia employment law. Mercer University Walter F. George School of Law offers advanced courses in labor and employment law.

Obtain Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credit for labor lawyers in Georgia

Georgia requires attorneys to stay current on changes in employment law with CLE courses. There are a variety of education and training programs in Georgia that provide CLE credit in labor and employment law.

I recommend: GeorgiaAdvocates.org provides events that carry CLE credit in employment law, such as the Employment Law Review. The Institute of Continuing Legal Education in Georgia provides a schedule of CLE courses, including those in employment law.

Learn through professional training associations on Georgia employment law

Professional associations frequently offer formal training such as conferences, seminars and workshops in Georgia labor laws. These organizations also provide more casual meetings that allow attorneys to exchange tips on building and maintaining a practice.

I recommend: The Atlanta Bar Association has a regular schedule of events that includes meetings on employment law. The Georgia affiliate of the National Employment Lawyers Association holds regular conferences on employment law in Georgia.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  A Georgia labor and employment law attorney should also be alert for educational opportunities that do not provide CLE credit but nevertheless provide important information on labor and employment law. A typical event of this type might consist of watching a specific legal issue being reenacted by actors followed by a legal analysis in a relaxed atmosphere.

Georgia employment law firms aren't cheap, but finding an efficient way to educate yourself and your staff about employment laws in Georgia pays off in more ways than just cutting costs. You and your staff spend more time doing business if you're aware of Georgia labor laws -- not only can you get more business done, but your staff knows providing a safe, happy working environment is important to you, their employer. Employees are happiest when they know what they are entitled to, in terms of everything from lunch breaks to discrimination protection.

Contacting Georgia employment law firms for help is the right thing to do in some cases, but you can do a bunch on your own to decrease your chances of ever needing them at all.

Consider the following to help your business comply with Georgia employment laws:

1. Learn tools to help you implement the simplest of strategies.

2. Seek professional help for big issues or tough questions surrounding Georgia labor and employment law.

3. Find software and other online resources for a fraction of what you would pay a professional.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Set up a simple system for your business to avoid conflicts with Georgia labor and employment law

Georgia manages its own labor department which posts valuable, and free, information for instant access. Compile handouts for employees of a small business concerning the most delicate labor laws such as discrimination, immigration and overtime. You can place posters or fliers in break rooms or other gathering areas for easy reference. When your staff is knowledgeable about what's right and wrong in the workplace, you're less likely to face lawsuits filed against your business or between your staff.

I recommend: The Georgia Department of Labor offers facts on issues ranging from discrimination to workplace safety and health in addition to offering printable posters direct from their website.

Big firms offer the best support for challenges with Georgia employment laws

Georgia labor laws are complex considering America's ever-changing immigration policy. Not only can big firms offer support specific to immigration but they also handle issues such as union management and discrimination.

I recommend: Switchboard's digital directory can help you find any labor and employment attorney in Georgia. Lawmemo features company profiles for the most trusted labor and employment law firms. The Attorney Search Network offers a list of attorneys certified by both the American Bar Association and the Georgia State Bar.

Avoid having to consult labor lawyers in Georgia with software and web resources

Labor lawyers in Georgia, like anywhere, are expensive. Most Georgia labor law attorneys with websites post periodic, if not monthly, newsletters for the latest changes and policies. You can also stay on top of Georgia employee laws with in-house software that you or your human resources staff find easy to use. Look for software programs with features devoted specifically to labor and employment law.

I recommend: Subscribe to HRhero.com's monthly employment law letter. It's written by Georgia labor law attorneys. Compliance Pro and Ultimate Software both offer top-notch labor law software programs for human resources departments.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Address and document any discrimination or harassment conflicts between your staff as soon as you can, and know the labor laws in Georgia -- often the employer is implicated in labor and employment lawsuits when they have knowingly let discrimination or harassment go on for extended periods of time.