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.
   

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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.

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• •  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.

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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.

Georgia labor and employment law governs the rules and regulations that businesses must follow in regard to hiring, working with and firing employees. As a business owner it is incumbent upon you to follow the laws for your Georgia based business.

Take the time to learn about Georgia labor and employment law to ensure you are always in compliance. Resources range from state run websites to seminars held by labor lawyers in Georgia. Here are some informational resources to help get you started.

1. Set up a consultation with labor lawyers in Georgia to explain the basic rules of labor and employment law.

2. Learn about Georgia employment laws by visiting official federal and state level websites.

3. Take a seminar or course that covers Georgia labor laws and learn how it applies to your business.

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Find Georgia employment law firms and schedule a consultation

Georgia employment law firms usually offer consultations to businesses to explain the tenants of labor and employment law. This is in the hope that the business retains the services of the law firms so that the business ensures it is always following the correct processes and procedures. Schedule a consultation with one of these law firms as an introduction into Georgia labor and employment law.

I recommend: Visit the website for Katica Law Group for additional information on Georgia labor and employment law. You may also set up an informational consultation. The Georgia based law firm Carothers and Mitchell offers similar services.

Find out about Georgia employment and labor law by visiting official websites

Departments of Labor may be found on both the federal and state levels throughout the United States. These Departments of Labor, including the Georgia Department of Labor provide vast information resources on the specifics of Georgia labor law.

I recommend: Go to the website for the Georgia Department of Labor for additional information on laws, rules and regulations that businesses must follow. Also, the United States Department of Labor website details laws, rules and regulations broken down by state. Visit the website for more information on Georgia labor law.

Enroll in a course designed to cover Georgia labor and employment law for beginners

There are many seminars that are offered for business owners that introduces them to the basic protocols required to adhere to Georgia labor and employment law. Take the time to enroll in these courses so that you understand what is expected, and what you may expect in your working relationship with your employees.

I recommend: Go to the website for the Georgia Employer Committee for additional information on the seminars offered that cover labor laws in Georgia. Also, Georgia Southern University offers seminars for business owners and students alike that cover employment laws in Georgia.

Georgia labor and employment law news and trends are of great interest to attorneys who practice employment law in Georgia. Employment law attorneys must keep track of the frequent changes in the law that relate to unions and laborers in Georgia. They also need to be familiar with the many procedures and forms related to labor and employment law that may change at any time. Attorneys also need to know what the public thinks about rulings on labor and employment law in Georgia. All of these highly volatile factors can change the way attorneys in labor law do their jobs.

News on employment laws in Georgia generally may be grouped according to the source of information. These include following three categories:

1. Independent sources of news on Georgia labor laws. They provide opinions, as well as hard news, on labor law from many different businesses, individuals and lobby groups. Independent news sources typically consist of blogs, magazines and newspapers.
2. Websites from the Georgia state government. These sites provide official procedures and rulings on Georgia labor law.
3. Labor lawyers. Attorneys that practice labor and employment law in Georgia frequently have inside news on labor law in Georgia.
   

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Study independent sources of news and trends on Georgia employment law

News organizations frequently report on legislative updates on Georgia labor and employment law. Individuals also may keep blogs and journals on labor law in Georgia.

I recommend: Georgia Public Broadcasting has an article on a wrongful termination lawsuit in Georgia. Labor Law Talk Blog has a post on labor law relating to holiday pay in Georgia.

Review state websites to get official news and other information on Georgia employment laws

Georgia government websites are the best places to get the latest news about Georgia labor and employment law. A Georgia website also may publish the state statutes to help attorneys stay informed on the latest legislation that relates to Georgia labor and employment law.

I recommend: The Georgia Department of Labor provides regular news updates and official information on labor law in Georgia. The Georgia Employer Committee provides information on workforce trends in Georgia.

Get inside news on work laws from labor lawyers in Georgia

Georgia employment law firms frequently have information on Georgia law that is not available elsewhere. These attorneys may publish newsletters or full length articles on a particular aspect of labor and employment law in Georgia.

I recommend: Constangy Brooks & Smith has offices in Atlanta and provides articles on employment law in Georgia. Jackson Lewis provides an article on non-compete agreements in Georgia.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Georgia employment laws are generally guided by federal law, which set the standard work week to 40 hours in 1950. However, some lines of work may be an exception to the 40 hour work week maximum. For example, seasonal work, such as harvesting crops, can require laborers to work 72 hours in a week.