What steps do I need to take as a small business owner to ensure compliance with Georgia wage and hour laws?
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As a small business owner in Georgia, there are several steps you can take to ensure compliance with wage and hour laws. First, it is important to understand the basic requirements under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which is a federal law that sets standards for minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and youth employment.
Under the FLSA, businesses must pay all employees a minimum wage of at least $7.25 per hour. Additionally, non-exempt employees must be paid overtime at a rate of 1.5 times their regular pay for any hours worked over 40 hours per week. Exempt employees, such as executive, administrative, and professional employees, are not eligible for overtime pay.
To ensure compliance with these wage and hour laws, small business owners should keep accurate records of employee hours worked, wages paid, and overtime hours. It is also important to properly classify employees as exempt or non-exempt based on their job duties and responsibilities.
In Georgia, there are also specific state wage and hour laws that must be followed. For example, employers must provide employees with a paid break of at least 30 minutes for every six hours worked, unless the employee agrees to waive the break. Employers must also provide employees with a written notice of their pay rate and pay schedule at the time of hire, and any changes to this information must be provided in writing at least 24 hours before the change takes effect.
To ensure compliance with state wage and hour laws, small business owners should review the Georgia Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division website and consult with an attorney if there are any questions or concerns.
It is important to note that there may be exceptions and limitations to these wage and hour laws, such as for certain types of employees or industries. Small business owners should consult with an attorney to ensure they are in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
In summary, small business owners in Georgia should ensure compliance with both federal and state wage and hour laws by keeping accurate records, properly classifying employees, providing required breaks, and reviewing all applicable laws and regulations. Consulting with an attorney is also recommended to ensure full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
